DUNCAN BURGESS FROM DUNOON AND GLASGOW JAILED FOR RAPE OF SLEEPING WOMEN

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Dunoon, Glasgow, and Paisley, Duncan Burgess, aged 34, has been sentenced to eight years in prison after being convicted of multiple counts of sexual assault involving women who were asleep at the time of the attacks. The crimes, which spanned from 2010 to 2016, have left a lasting impact on the victims and have raised serious concerns about personal safety and the need for vigilance in these areas.

Despite his protests of innocence, Burgess was found guilty following a trial that revealed disturbing details of his actions. He initially denied any wrongdoing, claiming that one of the victims had fabricated her story out of a desire for revenge. However, the court was presented with compelling evidence that contradicted his claims, leading to his conviction.

The first victim, a 28-year-old woman, was assaulted at a residence in Paisley. The High Court in Glasgow heard that Burgess exhibited controlling behavior towards her, demanding that she cook specific meals and asserting dominance in their relationship. During the proceedings, his legal representative, QC John Scullion, questioned Burgess about the allegations, asking, "Did you ever sexually assault her? Did you ever have sex with her when she was asleep?" To which Burgess responded, "No, of course not," maintaining that the woman had lied because she no longer liked him.

The court also learned that Burgess had attacked a 17-year-old girl at a flat in Cardonald, Glasgow, in 2016. At the time, Burgess was in a relationship, and he claimed to be shocked by the teenager’s accusations. He told the jury that he was confused and distressed upon hearing her claims, stating, "I asked her what she was talking about. I did not know what to think. I felt sick. I could not get my head around what she had said." Evidence was presented that Burgess later sent a text message to the girl, claiming he had "no clue" about the allegations. The victim recounted feeling her heart pounding after waking up that morning, a detail that added to the court’s understanding of the trauma she experienced.

Throughout the trial, Burgess insisted that both women had lied to seek revenge. He suggested that the teenage girl’s accusations stemmed from an incident where he allegedly caught her stealing and reported it to her mother. When asked by prosecutor Keith O’Mahony whether Burgess believed his own account was truthful, Burgess replied, "No," though he maintained that he still had the support of his partner and mother.

Judge Lady Stacey, presiding over the case, emphasized the profound effect the crimes had on the victims. She stated, "One has lost her self-confidence while the other has suffered such a shock and has found it difficult to get back into her normal life." As part of his sentence, Burgess will be supervised for an additional two years upon release and will be placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the court’s stance on protecting the community from potential future offenses.

In conclusion, this case highlights the disturbing reality of sexual violence committed under the cover of night and the importance of justice for victims who often suffer in silence. The communities of Dunoon, Glasgow, and Paisley will undoubtedly be affected by this verdict, serving as a reminder of the ongoing need for vigilance and support for survivors of such heinous acts.