Rape convict asks Judge to visit the prisons before he leaves office

A man who was found guilty on a rape charge has asked the presiding judge to visit the prisons before he leaves office. Calvert Toney, was found guilty of raping a woman on March 2, 2020,and, when he appeared for sentencing on June 28, 2024, he pleaded with Justice Brian Cottle to visit the prison before he, Cottle, leaves office. Cottle, who was due to begin retirement from the Bench on May 9, 2024, but was granted an extension.

Toney also was found guilty on a charge of assault causing actual bodily harm; however, the jury was left hung on a charge of abduction and the Crown therefore withdrew the charge.

The convicted man told Justice Cottle that he is aware that his time as High Court Judge will soon come to an end but that he should visit the prison and witness the life to which the prisoners are subjected before he leaves office.

“Before you leave office, take a visit to the prison. See the conditions… please see where the prisoners are sleeping,” Toney told Justice Cottle.

He said the prison is not suitable for people to live in. Justice Cottle told Toney that it has been a while since he has visited the prisons, and thanked Toney for reminding him to do so. The judge promised Toney that he will visit the prisons soon.