THE ROSENEATH SENSATION

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 122, 8 February 1923, Page 5

THE ROSENEATH SENSATION

YOUTH COMMITTED FOR SENTENCE JURY’S PERTINENT RIDER The sensation which was caused in Rosenoath towards tho ohd of last year by a series of brutal assaults on women by a youth of 18 had its sequel in the Supreme Court yesterday, wnen Stanley AA'inwood McKissack Reid was committed for sentence on the charges of assault with ths. intent to commit rape. Reid was charged with assault with intent to commit rape on a girl of 14 years of ago. and with four other similar charges in connection with older women, aiso with five alternative charges of assault. He pleaded not guilty, Air. J Scott appeared for prisoner.

Mt. Charles Hopper was foreman of tho jury. , _ /» Tlie {nets, ns stated by Air. Macassey, for the Crown, were, briefly, that the accused worked for his father as a bricKlaycr, but occasions gave up work in various suburbs, and went to the zig-rag running to Crescent Street through a reserve nt Roseneafli. He hid in the bushes, took off his boots and hat. and waiting for girls or women, sprang on them from behind, tried to cover their mouths, and drag them away. AVhen the women screamed he ran away: bitt in two cases dragged them considerable distances. Ono assault was on the Evans Bay Road. The offences took place between November 19 and December 27. Tho accused had written and- signed statements that in each case sexual intercourse was his object. He was under treatment for sexual weakness, and Air. Macassey was of opinion that' his mentality, where women were concerned, was such that he could not help himself. Evidence having bo.cn given by the women concerned and by the police, Mr. Scott, on behalf of the prisoner, addressing tho jury, admitted the assaults, but pointed out that the public nature of the spots where the assaults were committed was against the theory of intent to commit rape, nor wore the women’s statements of his actions compatible with that theory. Tho jury, after a short retirement, brought in a verdict of guilty on all charges, with a recommendation to mercy, as tho prisoner seemed to be abnormally mentally deficient. The jury added a rider:—“The jury desires that it be brought very strongly to the notice of Cabinet that’ immediate steps be taken to bring in legislation to deal effectively with all persons convicted of sexual crimes upon women and children. This is very necessary in order that our women and children be safeguarded from such miscreants who ought not to be let loose again upon the community in a state likely to repeal their offences.” The prisoner, was remanded for sentence.