A CONVICTED rapist who claims he is the victim of a Garda conspiracy has been jailed for three years for ramming a patrol car with a van near Monasterevin, Co Kildare, in May 1994.
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that, shortly after the incident, two photographs of Thomas Gerard Stokes were found in a discarded suitcase left near the white van, which had been burnt out.
Garda John Nolan, of Portlaoise Garda station, said he had been able to confirm from the photographs that Stokes was the driver of the van.
Stokes, who has several previous convictions, is scheduled for sentence on December 9th following his conviction by a jury on October 5th for kidnapping and raping a former heroin addict and prostitute in 1994.
Mr Garnet Orange, defending, said he had been formally instructed to say his client was extremely unhappy and felt victimised because he was a member of the travelling community.
He felt this was why he was before the court and he denied both the ramming offence and the list of previous convictions read out to the court, Mr Orange added.
Stokes (36), married but separated, of Piercetown, Newbridge, Co Kildare, was unanimously convicted by a jury on Thursday of causing criminal damage to Garda Nolan's vehicle on May 4th, 1994.
Judge Patrick Smith directed the jury to return a not guilty verdict on a second charge of handling stolen tools and other items taken from Edenderry, Co Offaly, on the same date.
Garda Nolan said he could not answer claims by Stokes that, he had been victimised by gardai as he had never met him before the ramming incident.
Stokes denied in evidence that he had been the driver of the van. He claimed the photographs had been taken in Bray in June 1994, a month later than the van incident. He alleged they came into Garda possession subsequently.