Rapist's attack was 'the stuff of nightmares'

The attack happened close to St John's Hospital

Jailing Andrew Hamilton for five years and four months a judge blasted his claims of remorse as shallow and superficial.

Only his plea of guilty had saved him from a longer sentence, said Lord Tyre.

The High Court in Edinburgh had heard how Hamilton left his victim so hysterical that she was unable to speak when a former school friend tried to help her. She couldn't even remember her own telephone number.

And the attack on May 12 this year, on a footpath which runs past the West Lothian town's civic centre and St John's Hospital, has ruined her life.

Hamilton, 23, pounced as the teenager "dawdled along" on her way home from work, listening to music on her mobile phone and texting her sister.

"She had finished for the day and, as the weather was pleasant decided to walk home rather than take the bus," said advocate depute Paul Kearney, prosecuting.

He said that when Hamilton grabbed her she thought it must be one of her friends "larking about."

"She soon realised that she was wrong," said Mr Kearney.

Hamilton snatched the 18-year-old girl's phone and earphones and began touching her. She thought her attacker was trying to rob her and asked if it was money he was after.

Hamilton then started tugging at the girl's vest top and pulled down her leggings, said Mr Kearney.

"She was terrified at this and begged the accused to stop saying: 'Please don't' to which the accused replied: 'I'll decide.'"

After the attack he told her: "You aren't a virgin" before walking quickly away.

Lord Tyre was told that before the rape the shop assistant was "a confident young woman." Now she never goes anywhere alone and feels unsafe, except when she is at home with her family.

She thinks constantly about the attack and feels she will always have to live with its effects.

Solicitor advocate Richard Goddard, defending, said Hamilton had only intended to steal the girl's iPhone but "matters escalated horribly."

The lawyer said: "He himself has the greatest difficulty in trying to explain why he acted in that way."

Mr Goddard added: "Mr Hamilton has expressed his complete and utter remorse as to his behaviour that day."

Passing sentence, Lord Tyre said Hamilton had attacked a complete stranger walking home in broad daylight on a public path.

""This is the stuff of nightmares for many women," he said. "The consequences have been serious. She is afraid to go out because of the memory of what you did to her that day.

"Reports do suggest doubts about whether the remorse you say you now feel is more than shallow or superficial," he added.

Hamilton was told that if he had not pleaded guilty - sparing his victim the ordeal of giving evidence - the jail term would have been eight years.

Lord Tyre also made an order extending the time Hamilton will remain on licence by five years and said his name would remain on the sex offenders' register for life.