JAMES DU FROM LETHAM SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT ON SLEEPING WOMAN IN ANGUS

In a case that has shocked the local community of Letham, Angus, a man named James Du has been sentenced to 18 months in prison after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman while she was asleep in her own home. The incident took place in June of the previous year, and the court proceedings revealed disturbing details about the events leading up to and following the assault.

According to court records, Du-Tracy, who is 29 years old, had previously made an unwanted sexual advance towards the woman earlier that day, which she had clearly rejected. Despite this, he later entered her residence without permission, an act that was considered a breach of her privacy and safety. The assault occurred while the woman was resting on her sofa, with her young child peacefully sleeping in a pram nearby. The court heard that Du-Tracy had been at a local pub earlier in the evening, and after consuming alcohol, he returned to her home.

The incident was only discovered when the woman was awakened at approximately 1:10 AM by her child's crying. It was at this moment that she realized she was being sexually assaulted. The woman immediately pushed Du-Tracy away, causing him to fall onto the floor. Despite his attempt to apologize, she demanded that he leave her house. Du-Tracy persisted in trying to make amends, repeatedly saying, “accept my apology – I know how serious this is,” but she was understandably distressed and overwhelmed. She then forcefully ejected him from her home and broke down in tears, feeling shaken and violated.

Initially, the woman chose not to contact the police, believing that her account might not be believed or that it would be dismissed. However, Du-Tracy later took the step of reporting himself to the authorities, which was acknowledged during the court proceedings. His defense lawyer, Ian Flynn, explained that Du-Tracy was heavily intoxicated at the time and that his actions were a result of a misconception. The lawyer also highlighted that Du-Tracy showed remorse immediately after the incident and voluntarily surrendered himself to the police once he realized the gravity of his actions.

During the sentencing, Sheriff Alastair Brown emphasized the importance of consent, stating, “A woman who is asleep is not giving consent – she can’t give consent.” The sheriff also pointed out that the woman had explicitly refused any sexual contact earlier that day, making Du-Tracy’s actions even more reprehensible. As part of his sentence, Du-Tracy was also ordered to register as a sex offender for the next ten years, reflecting the serious nature of his crime and the court’s commitment to protecting the community from potential future offenses.