JOCKEY ADMITS CHARGE

Taranaki Daily News, 13 May 1930, Page 9

JOCKEY ADMITS CHARGE

COURT DEFERS THE SENTENCE.

ACCUSED’S MENTAL CONDITION

By Telegraph.—Pi ess Association.

Auckland, Last Night.

When the young Hamilton jockey, James Claude Regan, appeared in the Supreme Court this morning for sentence on a charge of rape his counsel, Mr. Schramm, entered a strong plea that accused was more mental than criminal.

After hearing evidence relative to Regan’s habits given by his mother, who was in tears, Mr. Justice Smith deferred sentence in order that Regan might be kept under observation at a mental hospital. Mr. Schramm said Regan had pleaded guilty to the offence. Some three years ago he met with an accident in a steeplechase event at W'hangarei and he had not been normal since then. 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 15-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 flogging for his offence, but counsel suggested that he might be granted leniency by the count.

“The offence appeared to be a brutal assault,” said Mr. Hubble, who appeared for the Crown. From the facts related by those who rescued the girl the 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 Honour so hl the police, report seemed to indicate that the 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. Nora Jane Regan, the mother of prisoner, almost fainted when she entered the witness box. She said that since 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 good son but she did not think he was normal. In remanding the prisoner for a week for mental observation his Honour said in view of the pica put forward by counsel, Regan’s youth and the seriousness of the charge, he desired to have the fullest information about the prisoner.