Man Admits To Sexually Assaulting 92 Year Old Woman

[matcom]

<snip>

Robert Holland, the former Bedminster Board of Supervisors chairman accused in May of sexually assaulting a 92-year-old nursing home patient, pleaded guilty Monday in county court in Doylestown.

Holland's attorney said his client is sticking to his story that he had a consensual sexual relationship with the victim, who was a patient at the nursing home where he worked.

The woman's son-in-law disputed Holland's account.

“They weren't friends. I know that for a fact,” he said. “When we would visit her she would say to us, "I don't want that man to come near me anymore.' But she was so far into her dementia, we had no idea who she was talking about.”

The victim, whose name is being withheld due to the nature of the crime, died of natural causes two months after Holland's arrest.

The charges came to light after an employee at the Pine Run Community Health Care Center saw Holland fondling the woman. Holland, a retired farmer, was head groundskeeper at the Ferry Road facility for more than 15 years.

According to court records, Holland told police he had known the woman for many years and they had an ongoing relationship. But prosecutors say the woman, who was diagnosed with severe dementia in 2004, was unable to give consent because of her mental state.

Raymond McHugh, Holland's attorney, said Holland decided to plead guilty to spare his family and the victim's family the ordeal of a trial.

“Consent is a legal issue. That made this a difficult case. It's difficult for both families. We decided that it was in the best interest of everyone involved to resolve this issue as soon as possible,” McHugh said.

http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/111-12052006-751582.html