Cleaner jailed for raping vulnerable handicapped woman

A CLEANER who raped a "very vulnerable" handicapped woman as they watched football on television was behind bars today.

A court heard that William Melvin's victim had cerebral palsy since birth, a low IQ and could not walk unaided.

But, said advocate depute Alison Di Rollo, prosecuting, she knew the difference between rape and consent and had resisted Melvin when he forced himself on her, telling him "No".

Melvin, 50, now of Watson Crescent, Polwarth, Edinburgh, was remanded in custody after he admitted rape.

He faces sentence next month at the High Court in Edinburgh when background reports have been prepared.

In court today judge Lord Doherty was told that after the attack on 28 June last year the woman, in her thirties, had to leave her specially adapted home in Edinburgh – but liked her new house better.

Ms Di Rollo said that Melvin and his wife had befriended the woman, regularly checking that she was OK. Melvin would also watch TV in her house – particularly football matches.

During the evening of 28 June he told her he was going to the bedroom because there was a larger television set there.

The woman followed him and sat on the bed.

"He told her to remove her top to which she replied 'No thank you,'" said Ms Di Rollo.

She continued to say no as Melvin took off her top, pushed her back on the bed and pulled off her trousers, leaving her naked.

Melvin then took off some of his own clothes and had sex with her, ignoring her protests and attempts to push him off.

The court heard that the offence came to light some days later because the woman phoned her mum, asking her to tell Melvin's wife that she didn't want Melvin in her house because he had been "touching her."

When questioned by police, Melvin tried to deny having sex with the woman but changed his story when told about the results of a medical examination.

He then said she had been a willing partner, but finally admitted he had "carried on regardless."

The court also heard that when a psychiatrist interviewed the woman she told him: "I saw Billy on the bus about a month ago and he made me feel very dirty. What he did was wrong.

"I said no and he did it anyway."