Gunpoint sex attacker caught after victim recognised him

A man who carried out a sex attack on a woman at gunpoint was caught after his victim recognised him.

William Trainor, 29, broke into the woman’s home in Gretna, Dumfries and Galloway, in the early hours of March 15, 2019.

On Tuesday, the High Court in Glasgow heard how the woman had been woken by her dog barking and discovered the intruder rifling through a cupboard.

In his closing speech to jurors, prosecutor Michael Meehan QC said: “A tall, thin man with a hood covering his head and a scarf over his face entered the kitchen.

“He had a handgun or imitation handgun in his possession.

“He left in a hurry about four minutes later. The Crown case is WIlliam Trainor is that tall, thin man.”

The trial heard how the woman had been at home with her daughter.

Trainor pointed the gun at the woman, who backed off into the hall in a desperate bid to get away.

The victim recognised Trainor having known him when he was younger.

Two police officers – who dealt with Trainor – also stated he was similar to the person captured in CCTV footage due to his build, height and style of walking.

Trainor, of Gretna, was convicted of assaulting the woman with intent to rape.

The charge stated he did present a weapon at her and “gesticulate in a manner” which suggested he wanted her to perform a sex act on him.

Trainor was also found guilty of behaving in a threatening and abusive manner as well as possession of a handgun and breaching bail.

Judge Alison Stirling continued bail and deferred sentencing until next month in Edinburgh.