Man who raped schoolgirl at birthday party is jailed

By WILMA RILEY
Published on 06/02/2013 00:42

A MAN who raped a teenage girl at her 14th birthday party and made inappropriate remarks to other girls was jailed yesterday for six years.

Judge Lord Bannatyne told 28-year-old Stuart Hatch: “These events have had an appalling effect on your rape victim.”

Lord Bannatyne described the sexual remarks made by Hatch to a group of teenager girls at the party as “nasty”.

The High Court in Glasgow heard that Hatch raped the terrified youngster at her birthday party. The attack took place at the house in Paisley, Renfrewshire, where the celebration was held.

Hatch – whose pregnant wife was also at the party – had earlier been heard making lewd comments to other girls.

The court heard the party took place in September – just days before the victim turned 14.

Prosecutor Shirley McKenna said Hatch was heard directing “sexual remarks” towards young female guests, which left them feeling “uncomfortable”.

The victim was in a bedroom when she became aware of Hatch behind her, touching her inappropriately before eventually raping the youngster.

The girl fled from the house and went to a friend’s home where she was found to be “crying hysterically”.

Hatch pleaded guilty to raping one girl and making sexual comments.