'Public needs protected from you' - six years for attempted rape in Falkirk

At the High Court in Glasgow Connor Ferguson, 23, from Falkirk, admitted assaulting the woman to the danger of her life and with intent to rape her at his home in Kintyre Place, Falkirk on January 26.

He was originally charged with attempted murder, but his plea to the reduced charge was accepted by the Crown.

Judge Lady Stacey ordered Ferguson, who appeared by a video link from prison, to be monitored in the community for three years after his release from jail and placed him on the sex offenders' register.

She told him: “The public is in need of protection from you. What you did was really shocking. It must have been extremely frightening for your victim.””

The court was told the victim had 34 injuries over her body.

Ferguson and his victim had been drinking and playing on an X-box.

An argument developed about her not sharing her cigarette with Ferguson and he demanded sex.

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The 20-year-old kept saying: “I want you to stop. I don't want it.”

However, Ferguson told her: “Even if you say no, I'd still go and do it.”

She managed to phone a friend who arrived at the flat and both women attempted to leave.

At this point Ferguson was described as 'going mental” and told the 20-year-old she wasn't going anywhere.

He dragged her into the living room by her hair. Ferguson then banged her head off the sink in the bathroom. As she again tried to leave with her friend, Ferguson launched himself at her, pinned her to the ground and kicked her on the body.

Friends who saw her after said she was distraught and unable to speak in full sentences because she was crying so much.

Prosecutor Bill McVicar said: “She did however manage to say 'Connor raped me.'”

Defence counsel Lili (correct) Prais said: “He had a traumatic childhood. He has expressed remorse.

“He was drinking heavily and has little recollection of that night.”

The court heard that Ferguson has a previous conviction for under-age sex with a 15-year-old.

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