'Leniency' for boy sex attacker because of his good family

Published on Thursday 20 November 2008 22:30

A TEENAGER who carried out a series of sex attacks in a matter of hours will be locked up for the next two years.

Robert Thomson was just 15 when he attacked eight women in the centre and West End of Glasgow, in less than three hours. His sentence was last night criticised as "lenient".

In one of the assaults, Thomson forced his victim to the ground, put his hand over her mouth and lay on top of her simulating sex as she struggled to breathe.

Thomson earlier admitted eight charges relating to the attacks, which took place on 5 June. These included three of assault with intent to rape and others of indecent assault.

Yesterday, a High Court judge sentenced Thomson to four years in Polmont young offenders institution. Under the system of early release, he will serve only two.

Lord Turnbull told him: "Your conduct that evening appeared to escalate in seriousness." He said that he would have detained Thomson for six years, but reduced it to four because of his age and "good background".

All of the victims were aged 20 to 35.

Thomson was caught after a CCTV image was released by Strathclyde Police.

The first attack was in West Regent Street at about 6pm. The victim heard heavy breathing behind her, then Thomson put his hands around her shoulders and propositioned her. The woman replied: "I don't think so, mate", and continued on her way, but he followed her and grabbed her again, forcing her towards an alleyway. She managed to break free.

His other victims included an Italian woman living in Glasgow. He grabbed her in Bank Street and pulled her about ten metres along the street. He pushed her down and ran off.

Another woman was leaving a gym in the West End when Thomson grabbed her and tried to force her head down, but she managed to elbow him and got away.

He later approached a woman in Great Western Road and put his hands on the back of her trousers. He ran away, but then reappeared, touching his victim between her legs before running off.

Another woman was walking in Great Western Road at about 7:30pm when she noticed Thomson behind her. He pushed her into a lane as she screamed and he tried to unzip her top.

He then pushed her to the ground, put his hand over her mouth and lay on top of her, simulating sex.

The defence agent, Mark Stewart, QC, said Thomson had drunk a bottle of Buckfast before the spree. He said his client had led a "blameless" life until the night of the attacks.

Last night, Richard Baker, Labour's justice spokesman, said the sentence was "lenient".