Sex attack victim put in care unit

A VULNERABLE woman was put into a residential unit after a serious sex assault on her while her attacker remained free on bail, a court heard.

Mark Easton subjected the mother-of-two, who suffers from learning difficulties and a speech impediment, to a sex attack after she left a pub to take a phone call.

The victim told the caller she was being attacked and screamed at Easton to get off her and was later found by police in a highly-distressed state.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard that following the incident, the 24-year-old woman was made the subject of a place of safety order, and she is now in a residential unit.

Advocate depute Gillian Wade said: "She feels angry that she has been placed in a unit, while the accused is free."

Easton, 26, of Livingston, yesterday admitted assaulting the woman with intent to rape her at Muirfield Way, Livingston, on September 5 last year.

Lady Smith sent him to prison while a background report is prepared ahead of sentencing.