INVERNESS MAN CONVICTED OF HORRIFIC SEXUAL ASSAULT AND ROBBERY
Wayne Stewart, aged 42, was found guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh of sexually assaulting a young woman in her flat in Inverness after he entered uninvited on March 13 last year.The victim, a 21-year-old benefit claimant, recounted that the intruder had followed her after she went to a Tesco store for groceries and forced entry into her home.
She described how Stewart, wearing a hoodie, put her in a headlock, dragged her into a bedroom, covered her nose and mouth, and pinched her nose to restrict her breathing.
During the struggle, he also took her mobile phone, threw it, and pulled up her skirt with the intent to rape her.
The woman, fearful for her safety, managed to struggle with him but explained he was "way too strong." Her screams alerted neighbors, who helped.
The woman called emergency services, during which she told the operator, "He was trying rape me – to take advantage of me." Stewart also robbed her of her handbag, bank cards, and other contents in her flat.
Currently, Stewart is in custody in Inverness, and after the verdict, the court ordered him to be remanded in custody and placed on the sex offenders' register.
A background report is to be prepared before sentencing, which is scheduled for next month.
The judge, Lord Harrower, emphasized the seriousness of the sexual assault conviction.
