Predator jailed after sex assault on boy, 16, while he was sleeping

A sexual predator has been jailed and placed on the sex offenders register after he carried out an assault on a sleeping teenage boy.

Barry Stewart, 39, appeared in the dock at Aberdeen Sheriff Court and admitted carrying out a drunken sex act on the 16-year-old at an address in Aberdeen.

When the teenager woke up Stewart then sexually assaulted him on a sofa.

The teenager fled to the bathroom where he said he couldn’t breathe.

Stewart pled guilty to one charge of sexually assaulting the boy.

Fiscal depute Lucy Simpson told the court that, throughout the evening of the offence, in March last year, Stewart “asked the complainer about his sexuality and enquired if he was heterosexual”.

She added: “He, later on, asked if he’d ever had sex with a male.”

The 16-year-old fell asleep on the sofa and awoke to Stewart carrying out a sex act on him.

And as the teenager attempted to get away from Stewart the older man then grabbed at his underwear before sexually assaulting him.

The boy ran into the bathroom where he stayed for an hour.

When he came out, the teen met Stewart in the living room where the man told him it was his “fault” and that he “felt bad and was embarrassed”.

The boy then ran home and told his mother who contacted the police.

Stewart was arrested by police the same day but denied sexual assault during a police interview.

He was then cautioned and charged.

Defence agent Paul Barnett told the court that Stewart had been drinking and claimed not to remember the offence.

“He told the police he had no recollection and that he didn’t think he would let such an offence happen.

“But when he was shown the evidence he was disabused of that fact and is very remorseful.

“He has caused a young man psychological damage.”

Sheriff Ian Wallace told Stewart that he was aware that he had shown remorse but added that he had committed “a serious offence that warrants a custodial sentence”.

He added: “This offence involved serious sexual abuse and occurred when the victim was sleeping.

“The impact on him has been significant.”

Sheriff Wallace sentenced Stewart, of Nigg Kirk Road, Aberdeen, to 15 months in prison.

He told the police he had no recollection and that he didn’t think he would let such an offence happen

Barry Stewart was sentenced to 15 months in jail.