The Taint

At age 17, Ray “Poss” Ide was convicted for a horrifying crime he claims he did not commit: the rape of a 14-year-old girl. The Taint portrays Ide’s early life, including years in Westbrook Boys’ Reformatory and Boggo Road, and time served in NSW gaols. After prison, Poss was recruited by Parramatta Eels football team. On the point of becoming celebrated for his sporting prowess, his rape conviction became known. Humiliated, he left the team. In Queensland via Grafton, NSW (where he met and married the Jacaranda Queen) he continued his sporting career, only never again in the Big League. A cautionary tale for young men, The Taint depicts social change: the sexual revolution of the 1960s and violence between police and trade unionists in the streets of Brisbane. It tells what really went on behind closed doors in institutions where vulnerable children were preyed upon, and gaols where men were expected to become beasts. The taint of rape affected the rest of Poss Ide’s life.