Sentence delay for man who raped woman while she was asleep

High Court: Defence counsel Geoff Forbes said Taylor was 'ashamed' of his conduct© STV

A man raped a sleeping woman and then returned minutes later with a friend and took indecent photographs of her, a court was told on Thursday.

The High Court in Glasgow heard that 27-year-old Edward Taylor posed with his face close to his victim's naked buttocks.

He also took a photograph of a friend with his tongue out, lying beside her as she slumbered.

Advocate depute Iain McSporran, prosecuting, said that the woman, who was on her first night out since the birth of her child, met Taylor and his friend in a taxi queue at 3am after becoming separated from her friends.

Mr McSporran said that the accused offered the 24-year-old woman a lift in their taxi and when it got to his house invited her in for a drink.

The prosecutor added: "She thought they were alright and agreed to go in for a drink. She was under the influence of drink and fell asleep on Taylor's bed.

"While she was asleep he removed her underpants and pulled up her dress and had sex with her.

"He left the room but later returned with another man and indecent pictures were taken.”

The court heard that when the woman woke up in the morning Taylor told her to leave as he wanted to go to sleep.

There was an argument in which he punched her repeatedly and pushed her down a short flight of steps.

She managed to flag down a passing taxi and got home and then went to hospital and contacted the police.

In court Taylor admitted raping the woman while she was asleep in his bed at his Glasgow home, on August 7, 2011.

He also pled guilty to taking - along with another - incident photographs of her private parts and assaulting her to her permanent disfigurement by repeatedly punching her and pushing her down a flight of stairs.

When he was interviewed by police he admitted having sex with the woman and claimed she was kissing him.

Mr McSporran added: "In fact the complainer was asleep."

Police found the indecent photographs on Taylor's phone and also text messages in which he made admissions about the offences.

The court heard that Taylor's victim feels her life has been ruined and no longer goes out at night.

Defence counsel Geoff Forbes said: "His conduct was utterly disgraceful. He wishes to express his apologies to the woman. He is ashamed of his conduct."

Judge Lord Turnbull deferred sentence on Taylor until July 26 at the High Court in Edinburgh in order to obtain background reports.

He also placed Taylor, who is in custody, on the sex offender's register.

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