Man filmed himself raping woman as she slept next to young child

Michael Barlow's victim discovered footage of the attack on his phone and confronted him.

Michael Barlow raped woman as she slept next to young child on New Year’s Day in Forth, Lanarkshire Google Maps

A man filmed himself raping a woman as she slept beside a young child on New Year’s Day.

Michael Barlow preyed on his victim at a property in Forth, Lanarkshire on January 1, 2021.

The woman later discovered the footage on his phone and challenged him.

When confronted, Barlow stated: “Oh, I did that ages ago.”

The 50-year-old decorator is now behind bars after he pled guilty at the High Court in Glasgow to a rape charge.

He will be sentenced later this month.

The hearing was told how the victim had gone to bed late on December 31.

Barlow had also been in the house. He later woke the woman up in the early hours and started arguing with her.

Prosecutor Blair Speed said, at some stage, the victim managed to get hold of Barlow’s mobile.

Mr Speed said: “She then viewed a video and a photograph on his phone.

“She went into the living room and confronted Barlow.

“He replied: ‘Oh, I did that ages ago’.”

The victim kept hold of the mobile and another phone before police were alerted.

Barlow was identified in the footage from distinctive star shaped tattoos on his hands.

Photos initially showed him inappropriately touching the woman as she lay in bed.

A near four-minute video clip recorded around 1am on January 1 then captured him going on to rape the woman.

Barlow, now of Dorset, was later charged, but made no comment to the accusations.

The court was told the victim has since passed away due to ill health.

He was remanded in custody pending sentencing on July 21 in Edinburgh.

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