RAPIST FLED HOME IN BATH ROBE AFTER TEEN VICTIM'S BOYFRIEND CONFRONTED HIM
John Bell, 53, sexually assaulted the 19-year-old woman at his home in High Valleyfield, Fife, on May 31, 2024.
The High Court in Edinburgh heard how Bell forced the young woman to have sex with him.
A jury returned a non-unanimous guilty verdict to a charge of rape.
Bell pled not guilty initially, claiming the sex was consensual, but was found guilty after the evidence.
The court heard the victim was distressed after the attack and confided in her boyfriend and mother.
Bell has previous convictions for theft by housebreaking and assault to severe injury.
He will be sentenced on April 30, 2026, and was remanded in custody.
The judge described rape as one of the gravest crimes, emphasizing the long-lasting trauma for victims and condemning Bell's actions as contemptuous and cruel.
Bell will be placed on the Sex Offenders Register.
Court Outcome
Conviction and Sentencing Details
Sentenced
Detected legal outcome
, emphasizing the long-lasting trauma for victims and condemning Bell's actions as contemptuous and cruel. Bell will be placed on the Sex Offenders Register.
