Nassau, Bahamas- A man who raped a Lyford Cay resident after he broke into her home in 1983 could be freed from a psychiatric hospital after spending 36 years in custody.
Eric Stubbs, 60, is set to appear before Senior Justice Bernard Turner for re-sentencing on January 21.
His victim awoke around 7am on April 17, 1983 to find Stubbs standing naked beside her bed.
He told her that he intended to have sex with her. When she resisted, Stubbs punched her in the temple and ribs and violated her.
The woman eventually escaped and called for help. A security guard at Lyford Cay met Stubbs lying naked in the woman’s bed.
At his trial in 1984, Stubbs said he was insane when he committed his crimes. He claimed delusions made him believe that he and his victim were Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.
A jury rejected the insanity defense and convicted him. The trial judge sentenced him to seven years’ imprisonment.
Stubbs appealed and in 1985 the court found him guilty but insane.
As a result, he was committed to the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre and ordered to remain there until discharged by the Governor General.
Attorney Sonia Timothy learned of Stubbs’ case while visiting another client the mental facility—and she took legal action on his behalf.
On December 15, 2021, the Privy Council ruled that the sentence violated the principle of separation of powers.
Stubbs could be released if the court finds that his mental illness is under control.
