BRUTAL ASSAULT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 110, 12 May 1930, Page 9

BRUTAL ASSAULT.

FORMER JOCKEY IN COURT.

GRAVE OFFENCE AT HAMILTON

SENTENCE DEFERRED,

When the young Hamilton- jockey James Claude Regan appeared in the Supreme Court this morning for sentence on & charge of rape, his counsel, Mr. Schramm, entered a strong plea that accused was more mental" than criminal. After hearing evidence relative to accused's, habits, given by his. mother, who was in- tears, Mr. Justice Smith deferred sentence - in order that Regan might be kept* tinder observation at' the Mental Hospital.

Mr-. Schramm said that-Regan had pleaded' guilty to the offence. Some three years' ago he met with an accident in ' a steeplechase event at Whangarei and he had not been normal since them. He did not appear to appreciate that he had- committed a serious offence. Regan, who was only 21 years of age, had had a further accident at' Auckland, and as a result he suffered from fainting fits and lapses of memory. He was more* mental than criminal, counsel'submitted, although he did not come within the-definition of mentally deficient. Owing to his disability accused had not been able to get a permit to ride in races- but was allowed to work in racing stables. He had met' a fifteen-year-old girl at a dance and committed the offence. He had been drinking and that was what had really caused his trouble. Prisoner had not blackened', the girl's character and had pleaded guilty to save the Crown expense. He was liable to life imprisonment and a flogging for his offence, but counsel suggested that he might be granted leniency by the Court. Evidence of Struggle. "The offence appeared to- be a brutal assault," said Mr. V. N. Hubble, who appeared for the Crown. From the facts related by those who rescued the girl, prisoner appeared to realise the seriousness of the case and that - he was doing wrong.' From the condition of the girl it was. apparent that there had been a long struggle.' His - Honor said that the police report seemed, to indicate that prisoner was a sexual pervert. If he really was a person practically irresponsible in sexual matters that should be established. Mr, .Schramm said he could not say that he was irresponsible in that connection, but the youth had no control over himself. "When he took drink he was liable to do anything. Mother Gives Evidence. Nora Jane Regan, mother of prisoner, almost fainted when she entered the witness box. She said sitye his accident her son's mind wandered, and he said funny things. He had fainted in the street eight months ago, and had been taken to hospital. He was a good son, but she did not think he' Was normal. In remanding prisoner for a week for mental observation, his Honor said in view of the plea put forward by counsel, Regan'g youth, and the seriousness of the charge, he desired to have the fullest information about prisoner. •