September 2022

Teenager raped vulnerable schoolgirl

A teenager left a vulnerable 14-year-old girl in the snow after raping her in woods at night.

Spencer Smith, 19, preyed on his victim in Newmains, North Lanarkshire, on February 1, 2019.

The drunk schoolgirl left a hen do to meet Smith who led her into the woods known locally as The Bing.

She tried to kick him away but Smith pounced on her.

The pervert abandoned her in the snow without trainers before she was picked up by the police.

Smith was convicted at the High Court in Glasgow to a single charge of rape.

Smith – of Wishaw – was locked up and will be sentenced next month.

The court heard that the 14-year-old girl had a “fair bit to drink” at a hen do.

She told officers that she was “like dizzy and woozy.”

The victim left nearby Robin’s Bar to meet Smith and his friend before heading to the woodlands behind the pub around midnight.

In his closing speech, prosecutor John McElroy said: “Spencer Smith had sex with a drunk child.

“She said she ‘tried to like get him off with kicking him’.

“When he left her in the snow, without her trainers and freezing we heard her call to 999.

“Officers met the victim at the bar who was “heavily under the influence of alcohol…and very upset.

“She was later found to be three times over the drink driving limit.Mr McElroy stated:

“Smith knew she was not consenting but persisted anyway, taking his sexual pleasure from an incapable child, under the significant influence of alcohol who was trying to kick him off.

After his conviction, Smith broke down in the dock as did members in the public gallery.

He was heard to say “absolute a joke” before being led into the cells.

Smith was put on the sex offenders register for a period of time which will be determined at the sentencing.