Jailed, teenager who raped woman, 51
A TEENAGER who raped a 51year-old woman in her own home was yesterday jailed for almost seven years.
Scott Johnston, 19, admitted forcing his victim to the ground, pinning her down, repeatedly striking her with an iron and raping her.
The teenager claimed he was so drunk he had no memory of the incident but admitted rape.
The attack took place at the victim’s home in Mount Florida, Glasgow, in December 2013.
Jailing him for six years and nine months at the High Court in Glasgow, judge Lady Rae told Johnston: ‘All rapes are horrid crimes but what aggravates this is that the com- plainer was unknown to you, a complete stranger.’
Lady Rae added: ‘What is concerning is the level of brutality you are capable of when intoxicated. What you did to this lady has had a devastating effect on her. She can no longer live in her home.’
Johnston, a first offender, spotted the woman as she walked past Hampden Park where he had been attending a Christmas party.
He then followed her to her flat where he raped her. Police released a description of the attacker and after reading it, Johnston’s employer con- tacted them. Forensic experts found DNA matching Johnston’s on the victim’s clothes and on a comb he had dropped.
Advocate depute Kath Harper, prosecuting, told the court that the woman had been out for the evening at a bar and had decided to walk home at around midnight.
The court heard that Johnston, a greenkeeper from East Kilbride, Lanarkshire, followed his victim.
A friend of the woman, who spotted Johnston talking to her as she walked along the street, was so worried that he dialled 999. However, when he saw the woman enter her close and Johnston take a different route he phoned back to say that she was in her house safe and well. The attacker later went to the flat.
Miss Harper said: ‘After being in the (pub), the next thing she remembers is being in her living room lying face down on the floor. Her head was being held down by someone.’
She reached out for an iron which was on the floor nearby and swung it at Johnston. She saw him stumble backwards.
The prosecutor said: ‘She describes the accused as enraged at this point. He took the iron and struck her with it. Blood started to run from her head. Fearing for her life she played dead. She was then raped.’
The court heard that the woman suffered bruising to her face.