A Dublin man who raped two sex workers and attempted to rape a third in separate incidents over an eight-month period in 2021 has been jailed for 18 years.
Aaron Barwell (29) of Coldcut Park, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, pleaded guilty to one count of oral rape, one of rape and one of attempted rape on dates between January and August 2021.
The three victims were all working as escorts at the time, and each had a profile on a website listing their services.
The Central Criminal Court previously heard that Barwell arranged for each victim to come to his residence on separate occasions, where he carried out the offences.
Imposing sentence on Monday, Mr Justice Tony Hunt noted Barwell had “committed a series of violent sexual offences against women.”
Describing the facts of the case as “abysmal,” he noted that Barwell initially gave each victim an incorrect address, which he said showed a “certain amount of deviousness in terms of planning.”
The judge noted this was a case which involved “considered, planned and serious sexual offending of a sequential variety”. He said it is concerning that the second and third offences were committed in light of the first and that this case “cries out for consecutive sentences”.
The judge also noted the use of violence went beyond that inherent in the offences and that Barwell had falsely induced the victims to believe he was an ordinary customer.
Mr Justice Hunt said it appeared to the court that Barwell may have made a calculation that “ladies who pursue this type of activity might be less tempted to bring it further”.
However, the judge said, “If that was part of his calculation, the gamble came spectacularly unstuck”.
Mr Justice Hunt noted people who commit offences of this nature will pay a “”very heavy price”.
The judge said that the days of a lenient approach to violence against women are gone.
“If you choose to engage in that behaviour, a heavy price has to be paid. I think courts and society want that to be the position.”
Referring to the victim impact statements, Mr Justice Hunt said they expressed the stress, anxiety, fear and long-term damage caused to the women.
He expressed the view that the stress and anxiety may never go away. “Like anything else of a serious nature in life, one can accommodate oneself to these matters. But the clock can never be turned back.”
Mr Justice Hunt set a total headline sentence of 36 years to reflect the gravity of the offending.
He said the court didn't think this was “disproportionate to the wrongdoing in this case,” noting that Barwell is a “relatively young man” who, with “ordinary luck, would be able to serve a sentence of that variety”.
However, Mr Justice Hunt said the court was conscious that 36 years is a significant period and having considered the principles of totality and proportionality, he reduced the headline sentence to 27 years.
Mr Justice Hunt said it would be unacceptable to have a sentencing regime which suggested that second or subsequent serious offending “should come at little or no cost,” and this must be considered to be aggravating.
The judge noted the mitigation, including the guilty plea, which was of “significant importance and value”.
He also said he took into consideration Barwell's age, background, his lack of previous convictions and the need to encourage rehabilitation.
Mr Justice Hunt handed Barwell a total sentence of 20 years, with the final two years suspended.
He further directed Barwell to undergo four years of post-release supervision, have no contact with any of the injured parties, and commit no further sexual offences in his lifetime.
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help.
