Sexual predator attacked woman at cash machine in broad daylight
A sexual predator, who attacked a woman in the street in broad daylight, has been jailed.
The victim’s life has been devastated following the sexual assault by a complete stranger after she used a cash machine.
The attacker was 49-year-old drug addict John Wilson, who was already a convicted sex offender.
The 34-year-old woman had gone to a local shop in Dunfermline and had used the cash machine there when she was suddenly confronted. Wilson had been released back on to the streets days after the offence when he was granted bail.
Wilson, formerly of Dunfermline and more recently of Claymore Drive, Glenrothes, was sentenced after appearing by video link from jail at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court.
He admitted that on April 12 at the Premier Store, Townhill Road, Dunfermline, he sexually assaulted a female by grabbing her private parts over her clothing.
Depute fiscal Jill Drummond previously told the court that the woman had gone to the shop at 12.10pm and then used the ATM outside. As she turned away from the cash machine, she was confronted by Wilson who was “right in her face”.
He was a complete stranger and he said to her, “Do you want me to show you a good time?”
She was so frightened she dropped a drink she was holding, the depute added. He then grabbed the woman and she pushed him away. He shouted and walked away. When the woman got home her mum saw she was distressed. The police were contacted and Wilson was identified from CCTV.
The court was previously told there was a background of heroin misuse and latterly crack cocaine.
Wilson had initially appeared at Dunfermline Sheriff Court days after the attack and was granted bail. He moved from Dunfermline to Glenrothes after the incident.
At a previous hearing, Sheriff John MacRitchie said Wilson had committed “the most horrific and invasive sexual assault on a complete stranger in the street”.
At sentencing, the sheriff told Wilson, “This was a brazen, sexual assault on a lone woman in a public place. You treated her as an object of your sexual gratification. This was degrading, frightening and wholly reprehensible.”
The victim is now receiving psychiatric and mental health treatment. She suffers from fear, panic and flashbacks, the court heard.
The sheriff commented, “The consequences have been devastating and this offence has caused her severe psychological harm.”
Sheriff MacRitchie jailed Wilson for three years and put him on the sex offenders register indefinitely.
In 2000, Wilson was jailed for seven years for assault with intent to rape. He has since been convicted of numerous violent offences.