DREW RODGER SENTENCED TO FIVE YEARS IN PRISON FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT IN BEITH

A man with a distorted understanding of consent and a history of violence has been handed a five-year prison sentence after being convicted of a serious sexual assault that occurred in Beith. Drew Rodger, aged 29 and originally from Maryhill, was found guilty of attacking a woman at a property in Beith in October 2019, an incident that has left a lasting impact on the victim.

During the proceedings at the High Court in Kilmarnock, the court was presented with disturbing details of the assault. Jurors learned that Rodger had repeatedly demanded the woman’s attention while she was on her phone, persistently pestering her until she managed to steer him into another room. Despite her efforts to distance herself, Rodger returned to her, forcibly pushed her, causing her to drop her phone, and then carried out the assault. His actions were accompanied by appalling comments, including telling the victim, 'This is what girls like you deserve – girls that answer back,' before leaving the scene as if nothing had happened.

The court was also informed that the day after the assault, Rodger contacted the woman via phone, admitted to his actions, and offered an apology. This confession was recorded during a phone call, revealing a troubling lack of understanding about the nature of his crime. The victim has since suffered significant psychological harm, with the court acknowledging the long-term trauma inflicted upon her.

Judge Lord Harrower addressed Rodger directly during sentencing, highlighting his learning difficulties and previous convictions. The judge revealed that Rodger had two prior convictions—one for assaulting the same woman and another for a communication offence. Emphasizing the need for a strong custodial sentence, Lord Harrower ordered Rodger to register as a sex offender and imposed an indefinite ban on any contact with the victim.

At the sentencing hearing in Glasgow, Lord Harrower sentenced Rodger to five years in prison after his conviction for rape. The judge also mandated that Rodger be subject to the notification requirements under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 for an indefinite period.

In his remarks, Lord Harrower detailed the circumstances of the offence, describing how Rodger, after returning home intoxicated, demanded attention from the victim while she was on her phone. Despite her requests for him to stop, he returned, pushed her, and forcibly penetrated her anally with his penis until ejaculation. The judge pointed out that Rodger’s statement, 'This is what girls like you deserve, girls that answer back,' demonstrated a blatant disregard for the victim’s rights and well-being. The following day, Rodger’s own admission of guilt in a recorded phone call further underscored his awareness of the wrongdoing.

The court considered Rodger’s age, maturity, and learning difficulties, noting that he attended a special needs school. Although he had no previous sexual offence convictions, his history of assault and misuse of electronic communications, especially involving a partner or ex-partner, was taken into account. The social worker’s assessment indicated a medium risk of re-offending, and the court recognized that substantial work would be necessary during his time in custody to address his needs.

Ultimately, the judge concluded that a significant custodial sentence was justified. Rodger was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment, with the sentence backdated to January 29, 2025, when he was remanded in custody. An additional six months was attributed to the domestic aggravation factor. Furthermore, Rodger was ordered to comply with the sexual offender notification requirements indefinitely and was issued a non-harassment order, prohibiting him from contacting, approaching, or communicating with the victim for an indefinite period.