Sentence date for ‘decency’ outrage

Vemba Wissa (48), of no fixed abode, was charged with outraging public decency, a court heard last week, but declared unfit to stand trial.

He was accused of engaging in sexual intercourse with a woman on May 9 in Minster Gardens next to Rotherham Minister.

Wissa pleaded not guilty at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court and his case was sent to the Crown Court.

A jury hearing took place in Wissa’s absence on Friday at Sheffield Crown Court after Wissa was ruled as “not fit to stand a trial”.

Mr Kevin Jones, prosecuting, said that on May 9 this year, two witnesses had come home from shopping and, when they looked out of the window, had seen Wissa on the ground “engaged in sexual intercourse” in the gardens.

He said a witness “could not believe her eyes” at what she had seen.

Mrs Jeanette Johnson, giving evidence, told the court that she had started to film the act “to have some evidence”.

She said the act had been going on “in broad daylight” and it was “disgusting”, adding: I was absolutely flabbergasted.”       

Under the rules covering defendants declared “unfit”, the jury was not able to find Wissa guilty — only that he “did do the act charged”.

He will be sentenced on November 25.