ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, October 30, 1996 TAG: 9610300045
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-5 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: FINCASTLE
SOURCE: MATT CHITTUM STAFF WRITER
A reclusive, elderly Botetourt man was sentenced to five years in prison Tuesday on four charges that he molested three brothers left in his care more than ten years ago.
Special prosecutor Dirk Padgett called Scofield Rufus St.Clair "sick" and "perverted" and asked Botetourt Circuit Court Judge George E. Honts III to give the frail man in his 60s the maximum - 70 years.
"You give him the opportunity again, and he's going to ruin someone else's life," said Padgett. The Bedford Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney was handling the case in lieu of Botetourt prosecutor Joel Branscom because the case began prior to Branscom's election.
Honts agreed St.Clair's crimes demanded serious punishment, but he said he had to consider St.Clair's health and mental deficiencies.
The three brothers were 14, 12 and 10 in 1985 when they were left with St.Clair because of family problems, according to testimony Tuesday. St.Clair was convicted in April of three charges of aggravated sexual battery and one charge of attempted sexual battery.
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