New Westminster, British Columbia – A man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for a violent assault on a SkyTrain attendant at the Braid SkyTrain station. The Metro Vancouver Transit Police reported that the sentence is in connection to an incident that occurred on July 5, 2021.
Transit Police officials revealed that the assailant attacked the SkyTrain attendant as she was exiting a room in the Braid station, pushing her back inside and subjecting her to a brutal assault. Despite the trauma, the victim managed to fend off the attacker while calling for assistance and eventually escaping the room.
Following the assault, Transit Police swiftly apprehended the suspect at the scene. The individual remained in custody until his court appearance on May 2, 2024, which resulted in a guilty verdict on charges of assault causing bodily harm and forcible confinement.
The convicted individual, identified as 29-year-old Howard Geddes Skelding, received a 10-year prison sentence. Const. Amanda Steed of Transit Police commended the resilience displayed by the SkyTrain attendant in fighting off her assailant during the harrowing ordeal and further praised her for her courage in confronting him in court.
Steed also provided an update on the victim’s condition, stating that while her physical injuries may have healed over the three-year period since the attack, the emotional trauma remains significant. The victim has received support from various sources, including Victim Services, her employer (BC Rapid Transit), the General Investigation Unit, and her family.
Members of the public were encouraged by Transit Police to report any safety concerns regarding transit staff by calling 604-515-8300 or texting 87.77.77. In emergencies, individuals were reminded to contact 911 for immediate assistance.