‘Worrying’ attack on pregnant woman

Sheriffcommentsafterverdict

A sexual predator attacked a pregnant mum in broad daylight only minutes after she’d dropped off a child at nursery.

Jamie Frame followed the 21-year-old – a total stranger – for 20 minutes before pouncing in a secluded wooded lane.

The “sinister and planned” attack happened in Hamilton – on a lane between Lorne Street and Pollock Avenue – on January 21 last year.

The 27-year-old denied sexual assault, but a jury took just one hour to return a unanimous guilty verdict.

The woman told Hamilton Sheriff Court (pictured) she became aware of him following her shortly before 9am as she walked home from the nursery.

Frame had a hood up and his face was covered.

She said: “I actually prayed a little. I hoped I would not get hurt.”

Frame grabbed her from behind and threw her to the ground before indecently assaulting her. He then got up and ran off while his distressed victim dialled 999.

A police officer arrived to find the woman “visibly upset, shocked and dazed”.

The court was shown CCTV footage of a man said to be Frame walking behind the victim.

Alice Carey, prosecuting, told the jury: “He followed her for 20 minutes while she dropped off her child at nursery and went to a shop.

“He deliberately kept his distance, knowing she was his target.

“He waited for the right moment to pounce and that moment presented itself in an enclosed wooded lane when no one else was around.”

Frame did not give evidence and his lawyer’s bid to have the charge thrown out because of lack of evidence was rejected by Sheriff Ray Small.

After the jury’s verdict, the court heard that Frame has a previous conviction for assault but nothing in his record of a sexual nature.

He has been in prison since his arrest in February last year.

Sheriff Small deferred sentence until later this month and remanded Frame in custody.

The sheriff told him: “This is clearly serious and sinister in the context of the CCTV showing you targeting and following this woman over a lengthy period before committing a repulsive and disgusting assault.

“It’s worrying the way this offence was planned and carried out.

“The victim should be commended for her bravery in speaking up and staying in court to listen to the evidence.”

Outside court, the victim said: “It’s good to see a predator like that get his comeuppance.

“The assault has changed a lot in my life – including relationships with my family and partner. So much happens to a victim of something like this.”