SNS GroupA man who raped a sleeping woman has been jailed for four years.
Lewis Ireland, 25, preyed on his victim at his home in Greenock, Inverclyde, on April 1, 2023.
The woman was intoxicated at the time, as well as asleep and unable to consent.
First offender, Ireland, took advantage of this and raped her.
Ireland was found guilty after trial and was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow.
He had initially claimed that the woman was a willing participant.
However, when he spoke to a social worker for his background reports in preparation for sentencing, Ireland changed his position.
Rosalyn McTaggart, defending, told the court: “He now accepts his guilt and now has the appropriate level of understanding and genuine remorse.
“He is able to understand and outline the impact of his criminality on others.
“The position advanced shows a significant step towards rehabilitation, which is a concern for society as a whole.”
Judge William Gallacher critiqued Ireland’s latest position when it came to sentencing him.
He said: “You had suggested that she was a willing participant.
“This is not the position you said occurred when you spoke to the social worker.
“You said that you were anxious about a custodial sentence.
“The result of this meant a trial took place where your victim was questioned and required to give evidence, where that may not have been required.
“You are not entitled to any discount because the matter went to trial.
“We know that she was incapable of taking part in sexual interactions at a stage you wanted to have it.
“You were willing and able to adopt a false position as it suited you at the time.”
The judge stated that Ireland would be looking at double figures for his sentence, but for his age, which fell under the guidelines of under 25 years old at the time, and his maturity.
Ireland was given an extended sentence of six years, four of which will be spent in custody and two years under supervision upon his release.
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