Sex predator who ‘molested teen as she slept’ jailed
A member of the travelling fairground community who attacked a girl when he was an overnight guest of her family has been jailed for four years
A judge told Kevin Cowley at the High Court in Edinburgh: “You gave no explanation for your behaviour but it is clear it was for your own sexual gratification.”
Lord Boyd of Duncansby said: “It is clear this had a traumatic and lasting effect on your victim.”
Cowley, formerly of Broadhurst Road, Easthouses, Midlothian, was originally charged with raping the 15-year-old girl but pled guilty to a charge of indecently assaulting her by penetration at a caravan site in East Lothian on May 21 last year.
During the assault on the sleeping girl, he took off the victim’s pants and masturbated whilst he molested her.
DNA evidence proved that he had carried out a sex act on himself. The girl told her parents that she had also been penetrated.
The judge told the 57-year-old that he would be on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely following his conviction.
The court heard that Cowley had been out drinking in the Leith area of Edinburgh and spent about £100 on alcohol before contacting the victim’s family asking to be picked and to spend the night at their home.
The victim went to her bedroom and fell asleep but awoke to find Cowley leaning over her.
Advocate depute Lynsey MacDonald said: “The victim could smell a strong smell of alcohol from the accused’s breath.”
Her pants had been removed and bra and t-shirt pulled up. The prosecutor said: “She does not know what happened in the period before she awoke.”
The girl panicked and got out of bed and pushed her attacker out of her way as she screamed running to her parents’ room.
She was extremely distressed and crying and complaining of pain. Her mother remained with her while her father went and confronted Cowley who was told to wait while the police were called.
Cowley was detained and during an interview did not deny that he had touched the victim.
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