Creative writing lecturer sexually assaulted woman in his home

A man carried out a sex attack on a woman in his own home.

Jim Ferguson, 63, groped and kissed his victim at the flat in Glasgow’s Dennistoun in September 2022.

The woman – who came to visit Ferguson and his former friend – protested “No” before he backed away.

Creative writing lecturer Ferguson, however, claimed that the incident did not happen.

He instead insisted to have been the target of a “harassment campaign” after his friend was kicked out of a poetry club they had been part of.

But, Ferguson was found guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court of the single charge of sexual assault.

The court heard that Ferguson had initially gone back to his flat with his friend.

Ferguson’s friend contacted the woman to come and join them.

The pair were sat on the opposite couch to Ferguson while they listened to music.

Prosecutor Redmond Harris said in his closing submission: “The woman stated that Ferguson enacted a very quick movement.

“He grabbed her breast, tried to kiss her and placed his tongue in her mouth then backed away.

“She was shocked and surprised by Ferguson’s actions.”

Ferguson’s friend told the court that the woman “grimaced” and told him “No, Jim” before Ferguson “left abruptly”.

The woman recalled the incident months after it took place due to “flashbacks”.

Ferguson denied the incident occurred when he gave his evidence to the court.

Liam Runciman, defending, asked if he sexually assaulted the woman and he replied: “No, I never have.”

He stated that he had only met the woman three times in 30 years through going to his performances.

Ferguson further claimed that matters arose after his friend was removed as a member of the Glasgow Literary Lounge poetry club.

He said: “When we did not [let him back in] the woman and [the male friend] started a campaign of harassment against me and the Glasgow Literary Lounge on social media and in e-mails.”

Ferguson claimed that he went to the police about matters but was told to deal with it in a civil court.

He added that he had “no knowledge” the woman had contacted the police about the sexual assault.

Ferguson said: “I reported them in May and at some point in July the police came to me and charged me with sexual assault which was a shock.”

Both Ferguson’s friend and the woman told the court that they were unaware Ferguson had earlier reported them to the police.

Sentence was deferred pending background reports until next month by Sheriff Vincent Lunny who put Ferguson on the sex offenders register and granted him bail meantime.