Description
A perverted partner sexually assaulted his sleeping girlfriend after she refused to have sex with him, a court heard.
James Skelton had sent his victim a message earlier pleading with her, Livingston Sheriff Court was told.
That weekend the young woman went to bed alone, leaving Skelton talking to her nieces and their mum who were staying over in their home.
Roshni Joshi, prosecuting, said the accused's girlfriend had fallen asleep in their bed on her right-hand side as normal, but at 3am she stirred and went to turn around.
When she woke up she was on her left-hand side and the accused’s right arm was over her side.
She was then sexually assaulted.
“She shouted at the accused: ‘What the f**k are you doing?’ She did not see him but could hear him saying: ‘I’m so sorry! I’m so sorry!’ She left the room.”
Miss Joshni said the woman was aware of her phone vibrating as it received messages that night but did not look at them until later the same day.
The texts included messages from Skelton who told her: “I’m so, so, so f*****g sorry. I thought you were awake. I feel quite sick right now.
“You moved your hand out of the way and made a few noises. I’m so ff*****g sorry.”
A later message read: “You know I wouldn’t do anything like that without your consent.”
Skelton's victim told her aunt the next day what he had done and Skelton handed himself into police but on legal advice gave a 'no comment' interview.
Skelton, 26, of Bathgate, West Lothian, pleaded guilty on Monday to sexually penetrating his former girlfriend at an address in West Lothian on 30 August while she was asleep and incapable of giving or withholding consent.
He admitted that the offence was aggravated by involving abuse of a partner or former partner.
Sheriff Douglas Kinloch ordered that his name be added to the sex offenders’ register with immediate effect and adjourned the case until 4 November for a criminal justice social work report to be prepared before sentencing.
He told Skelton: “I’m not going to pass sentence today because as a matter of law I have to obtain a background report before sentence is passed.
“You must also as a matter of law be placed on the sex offenders’ register in relation to this case and the length of time you’ll remain on the register will be decided when sentence is actually passed.”