Rapist guilty for attack on girl who took own life

A rapist attacked a teenage girl in Glasgow who tragically took her own life months later.

James Elder, 43, sexually assaulted the 19-year-old at his flat in Parkhead in September 2016, the High Court in Glasgow heard yesterday.

The victim later confessed to her mother what happened.

The young woman later committed suicide at her home in the city’s Southside in December 2016, but had spoken to police shortly after the rape. The trial was read her harrowing account by one of the officers who met with her.

Elder, who denied the rape charge, faces a lengthy jail term when he is sentenced.

The now deceased teenager had ended up at Elder’s flat after walking out of her family home following a row.

She said in her statement the attack lasted ten minutes, but “seemed like forever”.

The girl eventually returned