A married man who raped a sleeping young woman has been jailed for five-and-a-half years over the “predatory and opportunistic” attack.
Kenneth Laird, 45, struck at a flat in Aberdeen city centre on October 26 2019.
Laird – who had worked as a stock controller for John Lewis – was today sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow.
He had previously been convicted after a trial in Aberdeen of the sex attack.
‘This was an abhorrent offence’
The jury found him guilty by majority after considering their verdict for around three hours.
The charge against Laird stated that while the woman was intoxicated, asleep and unable to give consent he climbed into her bed and removed her clothing before raping her.
Judge Olga Pasportnikov told Laird: “This was a predatory and opportunistic violation of a young woman.
“She was particularly vulnerable as she had been drinking.
“This was an abhorrent offence against a sleeping woman. She was left traumatised and it is unknown what the long term effect will be.”
Laird, also of Aberdeen, was put on the sex offenders list indefinitely.
Lorenzo Alonzi, defending, said the rapist had used “no force” and that he was a first offender.
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