This article contains references to rape and sexual assault. Reader discretion is advised.
By Claire Henry
A convicted rapist who had only been in Ireland for a few days before he raped, sexually assaulted and falsely imprisoned a young woman has been jailed for ten years.
Randi Gladstone (41), formally from Guyana, was found guilty by a Central Criminal Court jury earlier this year of one count of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of false imprisonment in a holiday complex in Co Dublin, on August 25, 2023.
Gladstone has 19 previous convictions from the UK, which include convictions for rape, kidnapping, robbery and false imprisonment. Gladstone has been in custody since August 2023.
Passing sentence, Mr Justice Patrick McGrath said this offending has had a “profound impact on the young woman and her family”. He noted that she has “suffered significant emotional distress and is nervous and anxious when out”.
Judge McGrath agreed with the Director of Public Prosecutions that this offending falls in the 10 to 15 year sentencing category and said Gladstone “preyed on this young vulnerable woman”.
He said, “This is a very serious offence with a considerable breach of trust. The defendant took advantage of this young woman’s young age, vulnerability and inexperience”.
The judge rejected the defence claim that this was opportunistic and said Gladstone’s actions “clearly show cunning and planning”.
The judge said, “I cannot ignore the defendant’s appalling previous convictions.” He noted that Gladstone has no migrating factors except that he is a foreign national serving time in an Irish prison.
Judge McGrath sentenced Gladstone to ten years in prison and said, “there is no reason to consider suspending any portion of this sentence”.
Judge McGrath said, “I was particularly impressed in the manner in which the young woman gave her evidence and how she and her family approached the case”.
Detective Garda Carol Corrigan told Patrick Gageby SC, prosecuting, that the victim, who was aged 18 at the time, had been staying in the accommodation for several days prior to the assault.
Gladstone had interacted with her and members of her family. On the day in question, the victim stood outside her hotel room dictating a message to her friend when Gladstone approached her. He asked her what she was doing and what age she was, and she told him she was 18.
The court heard that Gladstone asked the girl to step into his room so he could ask her something.
She did so but immediately knew something was not right. He asked her if she had a boyfriend and told her she was beautiful. He then asked her to “hook up.” She did not know what that meant, and when he explained it to her, she said no. He told her that he would take care of her and that he loved her.
Det Gda Corrigan said Gladstone then asked if he could kiss her and also offered to give her money, and again she said no. The victim then went to leave, and Gladstone kissed her.
The girl then froze, and Gladstone began to kiss her body and unbuckle and remove her shorts and underwear. He told her to relax before digitally penetrating her and then raping her.
The court heard the young woman did not fight back due to fear. When Gladstone was finished, he told her, “to come back later for more”.
He then looked up and down the corridor before the young woman ran to her room. She took a shower in the dark and then called her mother and told her what happened. Her mother was extremely angry and confronted Gladstone, who denied all misconduct.
A short time later, the young woman and her family visited St Vincent’s Hospital. 30 minutes after the family left to attend the hospital, Gladstone appeared at reception looking anxious and nervous and enquired where the family had gone.
He then left the accommodation and, at 7.30 a.m. the following morning, bought a ferry ticket to the UK. However, he was unable to board the ferry as he was barred from entering the UK, and was refunded the cost of the ticket.
Gladstone was arrested a short time later. He was questioned but denied the allegations and said that the activity was consensual.
A victim impact statement was read to the court by the victim’s brother, which described the “profound effects this crime has had on my life, my family and my future”.
It describes the emotional stress, nightmares, depression and anger that the girl has suffered.
“I would get so angry about every little thing. I wanted the pain I felt to be felt”.
“I hurt myself with a lighter for a while, but I still hurt inside. That was when I thought about not being alive anymore”.
The statement concluded with the young woman saying she was “grateful for justice” and expressed her gratitude to the judge, jury, legal team and the gardai.
The Director of Public Prosecutions placed this offence in the ten to 15 year bracket on the grounds of the young age of the woman, the breach of trust and the facts and nature of Gladstone’s previous convictions.
Det Gda Corrigan agreed with John Peart SC, defending that Gladstone’s previous convictions for rape in the UK are from the same case and date back to 2001.
Mr Peart said his client still maintains that the activity was consensual. He said the injured party was not injured.
Counsel said his client is a foreign national, and serving time in an Irish prison would be difficult. He also said, “I respectfully say that this falls below the ten-year level.”