Attempted Rape Alleged

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29985, 21 November 1962, Page 10

Attempted Rape Alleged

Clinton Wilson, aged 50, unemployed (Mr S. H. Wood), was charged in the Supreme Court yesterday with alternative counts of attempting to rape a young married woman on July 19 or of indecently assaulting her. Orders were made clearing the court in the interests of public morality and forbidding publication of the woman’s name.

Outlining the Crown case. Mr C. M. Roper said the woman advertised in newspapers, asking for tuition in millinery, and Wilson answered, signing himself “Mrs Wilson.” The woman visited his house at 15 Antigua street at 11 a.m. on July 19, and Wilson told her his wife would soon be home. The woman did not know that Wilson was not married, and that he had written the letter.

The conversation got around to modelling, and Wilson offered her a modelling job, saying he would give her £2O if he could take her measurements. She declined, and asked again when Mrs Wilson was coming home. At his request she tried to repair a broken catch at the side of his trousers. When she tried to leave, Wilson barred the way to the back door. He pulled her to the floor and removed some of her clothes. Mr Roper said the woman would say that she screamed at first, and resisted, but seeing that she could not get away, she assisted him. She eventually got away, and went to her aunt’s house and told her. When police visited Wilson the next day, he said immediately: “I know why you’re here. You've come about that girl. I’m sorry it happened. I shouldn't have knocked her down. She is a nice girl” He later made a long statement.

Cross-examined by Mr Wood, the woman said after her first screams and attempt to get out. there was an hour and 40 minutes when she made bo attempt to get out, although there were two unlocked doors.

The trial was adjourned to this morning.