An Inverness woman with a learning disability was sexually assaulted by a stranger who followed his victim into her home.
David Geddes – who lives with psychological “difficulties” – went into the property and told the woman to undress and then touched her sexually.
He also told the lady that he wanted to have sex with her, before leaving the scene.
Geddes, 38, appeared at Inverness Sheriff Court to be punished for his disturbing crime.
He had previously pled guilty to a charge of sexual assault with intent to rape a woman who was incapable of consenting or refusing by reason of mental disorder.
Woman told a friend what happened
The “frightening” ordeal occurred at an address in Inverness on April 22 2018.
Geddes saw the woman walking in the street, followed her home and gained access to the property.
Then he told her to undress, took off her trousers and touched her private parts.
Next, he lifted the lady’s top and touched her breasts, before telling the victim that he wanted to have sex with her.
Geddes then left the property and police only became involved when the woman told a friend what had happened.
‘He bitterly regrets his conduct’
Defence solicitor Rory Gowans, who had presented a psychologist’s report to the court, said his client, Geddes, regretted his actions.
“His regret is significant and considerable and he bitterly regrets his conduct. He apologises unreservedly to the woman concerned,” Mr Gowans said.
After reading the report, and another one prepared by the criminal justice social work department, Sheriff Gary Aitken spared Geddes a jail sentence.
Instead, the sheriff ordered him to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work in the community and engage with social workers for the next two years.
‘If you did do something like this again, you are likely to go to jail’
Geddes, of Hawthorn Drive in Inverness, was placed on the sex offenders register for the same period of time.
Sheriff Aitken also imposed restrictions on Geddes’s social media activity and possessing a mobile phone without permission.
The sex offender was told that he must not try to hide his internet browsing activity.
“This is at a point where a custodial sentence is a very real possibility. This must have been a very frightening and concerning incident for the lady involved,” Sheriff Aitken told Geddes.
“I have read reports, which show that you have difficulties of your own to deal with.
“I hope I will never see you in court again. But if you did do something like this again or with worse consequences, you are very likely to go to jail”.
For all the latest court cases in Inverness as well as crime and breaking incidents, join our new Facebook group.