Jail For Sex Attacker Who Threatened To Rape Victim

A sex offender who threatened to rape his victim was jailed for two years yesterday. Security guard William Lafferty, 26, stalked his victim after she walked past him to buy a late-night takeaway meal.

The High Court in Glasgow heard that he asked the woman, also 26, for sex and when she refused, dragged her into bushes and pushed her to the ground.

He then sat on top of her and told her he was going to rape her, but wouldn’t if she let him have sex.

The victim refused, and during a struggle Lafferty tried to kiss her, touched her indecently, and put his hand over her mouth to prevent her screaming. The victim managed to grab hold of a stone and hit Lafferty, who ran away. The woman, who was shaken and crying, managed to flag down a passing police car.

Lafferty, whose address was given as Barlinnie prison, admitted assaulting the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, with intent to rape her in Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow, on 5 June, 2005.

Lord Brailsford said he was taking into account his early plea of guilty which had spared the woman the ordeal of having to give evidence.

He backdated the sentence to December last year, which means that if Lafferty earns a cut off his sentence for good behaviour, he will be free in December this year.