HIGHLAND MAN SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS FOR RAP-ING DRUNK TEEN

A convicted domestic abuser who assaulted and raped a heavily intoxicated 16-year-old girl at a guest house in Inverness has been sentenced to four years in prison. The incident occurred on April 10, 2023, and the High Court in Edinburgh determined that Huggins attacked the girl while she was unable to consent due to alcohol consumption.Details of the attack reveal that Huggins forcibly entered the room, locked the door, and pulled down her trousers before removing her lower garments and restraining her arm. He then committed rape by having sexual intercourse without her consent. Jurors were told that the girl was visibly upset after the incident, shaking and crying. Huggins claimed in court that the sex was consensual and told the police he did not commit any wrongdoing, calling the girl's accusations a possible setup.Huggins, 22, of Muir of Ord, had a previous conviction for domestic abuse. During the hearing, Judge Alison Stirling deferred sentencing to gather reports and later sentenced Huggins to four years in custody, with an additional two years of supervision upon release. She also placed him on the Sex Offenders Register for life. The court heard that Huggins has previously appeared at Inverness Sheriff Court to admit charges of assault and threatening behavior while under a non-harassment order intended to protect an ex-partner. He was ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid community work and participate in a domestic abuser rehabilitation program.The case's evidence highlighted that Huggins targeted his victim following a party at the same accommodation. Despite his denials, police gathered sufficient evidence to charge him. The judge emphasized that custody was the only appropriate sentence, reflecting the severity of the offense and Huggins's earlier convictions. Huggins expressed a desire to lead a pro-social life after serving his sentence, but the court's decision underscores the seriousness of the crime.