A PentictonA man says quick action by neighbors and staff at a nearby shelter helped prevent an alleged sexual assault outside his home Monday night.
Alex Waddington says he ran outside after hearing screams, honking and what he calls chaos in his neighborhood.
“I picked up my pace and walked over, but at that moment I didn’t even realize it was one of my neighbors,” Waddington said.
Waddington said when he arrived on the scene, he saw a man allegedly assaulting a woman he recognized from the neighborhood.
“He had his pants down, he was on top of her. It would have been a completely different outcome if people had not intervened,” he said.
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Waddington says staff at a nearby supportive housing facility run by the Ask Wellness Society also responded and helped intervene.
Bob Hughes, executive director of the Ask Wellness Society, says staff restrained the alleged attacker.
“They intervened to the point where they held the alleged assailant until police arrived,” Hughes said.
Penticton RCMP say a man named Josiah Foisy was arrested at the scene. He has since been charged with assault and sexual assault and remains in custody awaiting his next court appearance.
Hughes says the defendant is not a client of Ask Wellness Society.
“This is not a person in our care and I think this clearly needs to be fully investigated,” he said.
Despite staff intervention, Waddington says he remains concerned about the Winnipeg Street supportive housing complex, which he believes has contributed to increased crime and drug use in the area.
“Since the province decided it was a good idea to open a toilet in a residential area – have you ever heard of residents being happy that they have one in their area?” said Waddington.
Waddington says the victim is recovering and believes the collective response prevented a worse outcome.
“It was definitely a group effort and I was impressed by how the community came together to help her,” he said.
Police are asking anyone who witnessed the incident in the 200 block of Orchard Avenue or has additional information to contact Penticton RCMP.
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