ROSS LAING OF COATBRIDGE SENTENCED TO 18 MONTHS FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT

A 21-year-old sex offender, Ross Laing of Maxwell Place, Coatbridge, has been sentenced to 18 months in jail for sexually assaulting a sleeping woman. Laing attacked the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, on August 15 of last year while she was asleep. After a trial at Airdrie Sheriff Court, the jury took just over an hour to reach a majority verdict of guilty on the charge of assaulting the woman, who had to relive her ordeal by giving evidence.

Laing was convicted of sexually penetrating the woman and placing his hand under her clothing while she was unconscious. The court heard how, during questioning, Prosecutor Julie O’Hara described how Laing grabbed the woman by the shoulder, pulled her onto her back, penetrated her with his fingers, and then chased her, pushing her toward the bed and attempting to prevent her from leaving the room.

Laing was also acquitted of a second sexual charge by a majority verdict, with the case against him found not proven. The allegations involved an incident at his home on the same day, where he was accused of sexually assaulting another woman by seizing her arms, pulling her onto his bed, trying to lie on top of her repeatedly, attempting to kiss her, and touching her breasts, then pushing up her skirt, placing his hand inside her underwear, and touching her against her will.

Sheriff Frank Pieri sentenced Laing to 18 months in prison and also ordered him to be added to the sex offenders register.