RODDY KERR SEX OFFENDER FROM LANARKSHIRE SENTENCED AFTER NEW YEAR ATTACK IN HAMILTON

A man identified as Roddy Kerr, hailing from Lanarkshire, has been sentenced to prison following a disturbing incident that occurred on New Year’s Day in Hamilton. The incident involved Kerr assaulting a woman he mistakenly believed was his wife of 13 years, leading to a conviction for sexual assault.

On January 1, 2020, shortly after the stroke of midnight, Kerr committed the assault at his residence in Hamilton, a town within Lanarkshire. The events unfolded during a night of celebrations, with several guests present at his home. Kerr, aged 47 at the time, later claimed during his trial that he had gone to bed in a spare room and believed he was lying beside his wife. According to Kerr, he had gone to bed with a woman he thought was his wife, and he described the act as him “nuzzling” her. He insisted that he believed everyone had left his house by that point, and he was alone with the woman.

However, it was revealed during the trial at the High Court in Glasgow that the woman Kerr assaulted was not his wife but another guest who had been at his home that night. Kerr maintained that the woman was awake and “engaging” in the intimacy, but the court heard evidence contradicting his account. After the incident, Kerr sent a text message to the victim, apologizing for what had happened. When questioned about the apology, Kerr explained that he was sorry because he thought he was with his wife at the time.

Further details emerged when Kerr met with the woman a week later, purportedly to “try and clear the air” and “put it behind us.” Kerr described that meeting as awkward, with little conversation exchanged, and no significant resolution reached. The incident was not reported to police until several months later, raising questions about the delay in seeking legal action.

During cross-examination, prosecutor Alex Sutherland challenged Kerr’s account, suggesting that it was “preposterous” to believe he had mistaken his wife of 13 years for another woman. Kerr denied this suggestion, asserting that he did not think he had volunteered to go to the police after the incident.

Ultimately, Kerr was found guilty of sexual assault, although the jury decided to dismiss the allegation of attempted rape. The court deferred sentencing to allow for background reports to be prepared. When Kerr appeared in court, his lawyer Donna Armstrong stated that Kerr remained married and that his wife supported him throughout the proceedings.

Judge Kevin McCallum KC addressed Kerr directly, condemning his actions as taking advantage of a woman in his home that night. The judge emphasized the significant impact the assault had on the victim and stated that there was no alternative but to impose a custodial sentence. Kerr was sentenced to 14 months in prison, placed on the sex offenders register, and issued a non-harassment order that prohibits him from approaching the victim for the next 10 years.