'High risk' predator abducted and raped teenage girl

A high risk predator who raped and sexually assaulted an underage girl after abducting her has been jailed for 11 years and eight months.

Craig Brett, 51, prevented the girl from leaving a flat in Dundee and attacked her.

During the ordeal, in July 2021, the 15-year-old pleaded with him not to do it and cuddled a toy panda as she was subjected to abuse.

Brett threatened to harm the teenager and took mobile phones and a computer tablet from her to stop her seeking assistance.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard that forensic evidence of DNA corroborated her account.

He also shouted, swore and made sexual remarks towards the girl and threatened to kill members of her family and to harm her cat.

A judge told him: “You have been assessed as a high risk of sexual reoffending.”

Judge Alison Stirling said: “You claim to have been under the influence of alcohol, cocaine and valium.”

The judge acknowledged that he has significant physical and mental health issues but told him: “Custody is the only appropriate disposal having regard to the serious nature of your offending.”

She ordered that Brett should be kept under supervision in the community for a further three years when he will be on licence and can be returned to jail if he breaches its conditions.

Brett, who is currently in prison, had denied a series of offences at an earlier trial but was convicted or abduction and rape, behaving in a threatening or abusive manner and of an earlier sexual assault on the girl at a different location in Dundee when she was ageed between nine and 11 when he molested her.

He admitted failing to appear for a previous court appearance scheduled to take place at the High Court in Stirling on January 22 this year.

Defence counsel Wendy Culross said: “He has clearly had some significant difficulties in his life. He accepts entirely the extremely serious position he is in.”

“He recognises himself that when his mental health is poor he uses drugs and alcohol to assist with that,” she told the court.

The defence counsel said: “He continues to suffer from depression and anxiety.”

Brett was told he will be on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely following his sentencing. The judge made a non harassment order prohibiting from contacting the victim.