Teenage sex attacker detained

Published on Thursday 20 November 2008 12:58

A teenager who carried out a series of terrifying sex attacks on women in one evening was today locked up for four years.

Robert Thomson was just 15 when he assaulted eight women in less than three hours in Glasgow city centre and west end.

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.

Another of his victims bit Thomson in a desperate attempt to try to get away from him.

The teenager, now 16, earlier admitted eight charges relating to the attacks which took place on June 5 this year.

These included three of assault with intent to rape and others of indecent assault.

Sentencing Thomson at the High Court in Glasgow, Judge Lord Turnbull said: "It's of particular concern to me that your conduct that evening appeared to escalate in seriousness.

"Violent sexual attacks on women cannot be tolerated and when they occur they must be punished appropriately."

Lord Turnbull said he would have detained Thomson for six years but reduced it to four because of his age and early guilty plea.

All of the teenager's victims were aged between 20 and 35.

One victim was at an underpass at Cowcaddens Underground Station when she heard footsteps from behind and was grabbed round the neck.

At an earlier hearing the court was told that he put his hands up her skirt then pushed her to the ground and crouched on top of her, trying to grab her legs.

In an attack on Gibson Street a woman bit his hand, which he had placed over her mouth as he tried to drag her into an alleyway.

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