A Latvian man who raped his landlady while she was in a state of temporary paralysis after being drugged and raped by another man has been jailed for seven years.
Dmitrus Aleinkovs, 31, formerly of Dublin 24, was convicted at the Central Criminal Court in October of one count of rape committed in June 2016. The court heard that the victim wished for Aleinkovs to be identified but preferred to remain anonymous.
Aleinkovs fled to his native Latvia before charges were brought against him and remained in custody following his extradition to Ireland in December 2022.
In sentencing, Ms. Justice Karen O’Connor described Aleinkovs’s behavior as “degrading and humiliating,” given the woman’s extreme vulnerability. She emphasized the “horrific treatment” inflicted upon the woman, who was “rendered powerless” by the initial attacker and then subjected to further assault by Aleinkovs, who she mistakenly believed might help her.
The judge highlighted the severe breach of trust, considering that Aleinkovs was a tenant living in the victim’s home and had been socializing with her before the attack. She imposed a seven-year sentence, backdated to December 2022, when he was taken into custody.
The court heard that the victim had been socializing with Aleinkovs and others before the incident. She stayed up late, ordering drugs from a “dial-a-drink” service. A courier arrived and administered the drugs, rendering her immobile but fully conscious. The courier then raped her.
While the victim was still paralyzed and recovering from the initial assault, Aleinkovs entered the room and proceeded to rape her. The victim testified that she internally pleaded for help, but Aleinkovs ignored her pleas. The assault lasted five minutes, but it felt much longer to her. Afterward, Aleinkovs left the room.
The victim eventually managed to reach her phone and call for help. Her father arrived to assist her.
In a victim impact statement, the woman described the devastating impact of the assault on her life, detailing the constant fear, anxiety, and panic attacks she experiences. She expressed feelings of worthlessness and shame, as well as fears about intimacy and future relationships.
The court heard that gardaí had made efforts to identify the first attacker, but he remains at large. Ms. Justice O’Connor acknowledged the significant emotional and psychological trauma inflicted on the victim and her family. She thanked the victim for her courage in coming forward and wished her well.
The defense argued for leniency, citing Aleinkovs’s work history and lack of prior convictions. However, the judge emphasized the severity of the crime and the vulnerability of the victim.
