Sex assault on girl while she slept

Bruce Redfern appeared at Alloa Sheriff Court last week charged with sexually assaulting a girl by touching her breasts beneath her clothing.

The court heard that Redfern, whose address was given as Mary Stevenson Drive, had known the complainer for around two years and were members of the same tight-knit group of friends.

On November 4, the complainer was having a party at her house to which Redfern was invited.

Ms Orr continued: “There were no issues during the evening. The complainer’s boyfriend left the party. Then, in the early hours, she was sleeping. The accused was lying beside her under the one blanket, which was not unusual.

“At 2am she was awoken by the accused who was lifting her top and holding her breasts. He stopped when asked to do so.

“She tried to go back to sleep then he did it again. She pretended to be asleep as he did it again.”

Ms Orr went on to say that the complainer asked Redfern to leave in the morning and then told her sister and boyfriend what happened.

She then received a “very lengthy” text message from the accused which offered an apology for the actions.

The text also said that Redfern “knew it was creepy”.

He was said to be concerned about the amount of alcohol the complainer had consumed and took responsibility for her wellbeing. He also felt she was not giving him the attention he felt he deserved from her.

The complainer then contacted the police, who detained Redfern.

The 21-year-old’s lawyer, Jim Savage, told the court that his client admitted touching the victim and that he felt he needed to look after her in her inebriated state.

Redfern told police in his interview: “I felt I had to do something to get her attention. She said to stop but I didn’t really listen.”

There has been no contact between the pair since the incident.

Sheriff David Mackie deferred sentence until January 11 for reports but placed the accused on the sex offenders’ register in the meantime.