Man jailed for sex attack on teenager walking home at night

A man who followed a lone teenager at night before sexually assaulting her in a secluded car park has been jailed for two years.

Brian Ross, 33, pounced on the 17-year-old at Glasgow Caledonian University in January this year.

The student was walking home after a night out when Ross leapt out at her.

Ross pleaded guilty to the sex assault at Glasgow Sheriff Court last month.

Returning to court on Wednesday, Sheriff Ian Fleming sentenced him to 24 months behind bars.

Sheriff Fleming said: “Your behaviour escalated quite significantly and I need to take a serious view of the matter.”

Ross was also placed on the sex offenders’ register for an indefinite period.

An earlier hearing was told Ross’ Ford Focus pulled up at the city’s St Vincent Street just before 3am.

Prosecutor Mark Allan said: “Ross got out the car and walked to the side behind the witness and can be seen watching her as she appears oblivious to his presence.”

Ross could be seen following the teen for 12 minutes before committing the assault.

Moments later, he was witnessed returning to his car and driving out of view of the cameras.

Ross was traced through his car documents and he was arrested before initially denying his involvement when quizzed.

The court heard he later made full admissions and told officers he wanted to speak to the teenager who was on her phone.

Mr Allan added: “He was unable to say why he committed the assault or why he was in the city centre on his own in his vehicle in the early hours of the morning.”

Mr Allan informed the court that Ross’ last conviction was of a similar nature.

He said: “It involved him driving and loitering around Strathclyde University exiting his vehicle to follow lone females on foot.”

Joanne McMillan, defending, told the court that Ross had gone out to get juice before spotting the teen and wanted her phone number.

She said: “Unfortunately it didn’t stop there and the matter is before the court.

“There is no doubt it was a terrible offence that would have caused the complainer a great deal of upset and he accepts that.”