Laois, Ireland – A man with family ties to Co Laois, Jason McInerney, pleaded guilty to a horrific assault that left a woman with friction burns, spinal injuries, and a stab wound to her leg. This grim incident took place over several days near Marbella, Spain, in July 2023, just over a year after McInerney had been released from prison.
McInerney, 36, had previously served 15 years in prison for his involvement in a shooting at a wedding in the UK that resulted in the groom getting wounded. He had escaped custody during a court hearing by biting a detective’s nose and went on a five-month crime spree before being re-captured.
Following a trial in the UK, McInerney was sentenced to nine years in prison for the assault in Spain, which prompted a significant police manhunt. Despite being arrested in the UK, authorities in the UK collaborated with Spanish investigators to facilitate the trial in Spain.
During the violent ordeal, the victim attempted to seek help from a pharmacy, but to no avail. Subsequently, while in the car with McInerney, she was stabbed in the leg. In a desperate bid to escape, she threw herself out of the moving vehicle at 110kph, with McInerney holding onto her arm as she was dragged down the road.
Fortunately, the woman managed to break free and seek help from a passerby, who took her to a beach bar and alerted the police. With her belongings and passport still in McInerney’s possession, she required assistance from the British Consulate in Malaga to return home.
McInerney pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm in Spain before being sentenced at St Albans Crown Court, as detailed by Charles White from the Crown Prosecution Service. The prosecution’s case relied heavily on CCTV footage, medical evidence, and the victim’s testimonies to both Spanish courts and UK police.
Ultimately, McInerney’s violent actions led to a successful prosecution, showcasing the authorities’ commitment to seeking justice for victims of domestic violence, even across international borders. Detective Inspector Samantha Alcock from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Domestic Abuse Investigation Support Unit emphasized the dangerous nature of McInerney’s crimes and highlighted the collaborative efforts that led to his arrest and sentencing.