A drug addict who stabbed and stole from a mother-

A drug addict who stabbed and stole from a mother-of-two
claiming he was an IRA member needing cash to get back
to Ireland has been jailed for two years.

Anthony O’Neill, 25, was not a terrorist but a jobless
junkie, stealing to pay for the heroin he craved, the Old Bailey
heard.

The ‘despicable’ villain knifed the woman in the neck and
grabbed valuables after they had spent a peaceful night watching
videos together in her home.

O’Neill was also accused of raping the 32-year-old but was
cleared after he told the jury she had consented to sex.

He admitted cutting her neck as they struggled in the flat
and the theft of her jewellery, jacket and pnds stlg 70 from her
cashpoint.

O’Neill, who lived near the woman in Hayes, Middlesex, had
called at her home with his brother on january 11, claiming he was
looking for a prowler.

She lent him a torch for the unsuccessful hunt and when
O’Neill returned it he asked if he could spend the night with her
in front of the television, said prosecutor Mr Philip Gadstone.

The woman agreed and at the end of the evening O’Neill
asked her if he could stay the night because it was past midnight
and his father would not let him back in his home.

She allowed him to sleep on the sofa and went to her
bedroom, only to be awoken by O’Neill standing next to the bed
rummaging through her jewellery box.

He went back downstairs after she challenged
him, but returned with two of her kitchen knives.

The prosecution claimed O’Neill stabbed her in the neck
then raped her as she bled.

But he insisted he had consensual sex with the woman
before the incident with the knife, telling the jury: ‘I did not
force her to have intercourse in any way.

‘
He claimed an argument broke out afterwards and that
was when he stabbed her.

O’Neill of Balmoral Drive, Hayes, also confessed to taking
the woman’s jewellery and white leather jacket.

The prosecution claimed it was then he told her he needed
more money ‘because he was a member of the provisional IRA and he
needed to return to Ireland.

‘
But O’Neill told the court he had never mentioned the
terrorist organisation.

He agreed the mother took him to a cashpoint where he
stole pnds stlg 70 from her.

She later dropped him off at a nearby trading estate, then
went to a cousin’s house and called the police.

The jury cleared him of rape and robbing the woman at
the cashpoint.

He admitted theft and wounding her with intent.

The court heard he has previous convictions for street
robberies and possession of drugs.

Miss Sandra Stanfield, defending, admitted that Dublin
born O’Neill’s behaviour was ‘cowardly and despicable.

‘
‘He wanted the money to make a drugs purchase.

His parents
do not want to know him and I for one don’t blame them,’ said
counsel.

Passing sentence, Judge Kenneth Ricardson, QC, told
O’Neill: ‘I have to be faithful to the jury’s verdict and I bear
in mind I am not sentencing you for rape.

‘I give you credit for your pleas of guilty.

‘Also I am told, and I accept, that drugs are the root of
your criminal behaviour, but they are no excuse for crime.

‘
O’Neill thanked the judge and jury as he was led to the
cells.

ENDS