Man sentenced to 10 years for attack on SkyTrain attendant

A man who attacked a SkyTrain attendant in New Westminster, B.C., in 2021 has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

A statement from Metro Vancouver Transit Police says Howard Geddes Skelding was found guilty of one count each of assault causing bodily harm and forcible confinement.

Police say Geddes Skelding, who was 29 at the time of the attack, followed the attendant as she entered an employee room, then exposed himself, punched her in the stomach and shoved her to the ground.

The woman was able to fight off the attacker while calling for help and then managed to escape.

The man was arrested at the scene by Transit police and has been held in custody since the attack.

Transit police Const. Amanda Steed said they commend the attendant for her "strength and tenacity" in fighting her attacker, and extend their gratitude to the Crown for securing a meaningful sentence.

The B.C. Prosecution Service confirmed to CBC News that Geddes Skelding was designated a dangerous offender and sentenced to a jail term of 10 years minus credit for time served in pre-sentence custody. His sentence also includes a 10-year supervision order and a lifetime ban on owning firearms.

Geddes Skelding had previously been convicted for several offences including sexual assault, sexual interference, robbery and possession of a weapon.

He was released from a Lower Mainland prison in August 2020. At the time, RCMP warned he was "at risk of committing offences against women."