TEEN SEXUALLY ASSAULTED SLEEPING SCHOOLGIRL AROUND 20 TIMES
A teenager sexually assaulted a sleeping schoolgirl around 20 times.Owen Steel, now 20, preyed on his victim between the ages of 16 and 17, mainly at his home in Glasgow’s Castlemilk.
Glasgow Sheriff Court heard from the now 19-year-old, who recalled an incident as she lay in bed.
She stated that she was lying on her side and woke up to move Steel’s hand away from her.
The woman described feeling “trapped” as a result of the incident.
Court papers state that Steel touched the woman on the breasts.
He also repeatedly touched her on an intimate area of her body.
The charge spans between August 2022 and August 2023.
The woman, who is now a university student, did not go to the police until later on as it “ate away” at her.
She did confront Steel by text message: “I can’t sleep or live my life without thinking about the stuff you did to me.” Another stated: “Other times I would be in tears and moving your hand and you would put it back.” Steel also appeared to apologise for his conduct during the lengthy text conversation.
However, Steel denied any wrongdoing when he gave evidence at court.
He claimed that he got consent to touch the woman, whom he claimed “nodded” or “shrugged” at him.
Prosecutor Caitlin McAllister put it to Steel that the woman told the court that she was sexually assaulted “around 20 times”.
He replied: “Yes, that’s what she said.” Sheriff Tony Kelly later asked the fiscal depute if the victim was asleep on each occasion.
She replied: “Yes, except for one occasion at her address.” The sheriff told Steel when convicting him of sexual assault that he believed the Crown witnesses to be “credible and reliable”.
He added: “I don’t believe that you gave your evidence with candour.
“In all the circumstances, I am satisfied that I find you guilty of the charge.” The sentence was deferred pending background reports until next month.
Steel was put on the sex offenders register and granted bail meantime.
