Man jailed for trying to rape 13-year-old girl in East Kilbride
Nicholas Craig had been trusted to look after the schoolgirl when he tried to attack her in March 2017
A man who tried to rape a 13-year-old girl in East Kilbride has been jailed for seven years.
Nicholas Craig, 34, committed the offence at a house in the town on March 15, 2017.
At the High Court in Glasgow judge Tom Hughes described Craig's conduct as “appalling.”
Judge Hughes told Craig: “The author of the background report on you was concerned by your lack of remorse for what you did to a young girl and the fact your main regret was that you had not been able to delete damning evidence contained on film which you had made.
“This was an appalling series of offences. You breached the trust of the mother of the young girl involved. She looked to you to look after her child while she was out working.
“You repaid her by abusing the child. The girl gave her evidence with dignity and hopefully she can move on with her life.”
Craig’s defence QC Iain McSporran told the court that Craig continues to deny attempting to rape the girl and making a recording of a woman's buttocks.
In evidence the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said that Craig was looking after her while her mother was working.
She was not in court to give evidence, but the jury was played a video of an interview she gave to a social worker and a policewoman shortly after the rape bid.
The girl was asked what happened and said: “He asked me to give him a hug. He was hugging and kissing and touching me. I didn't know what was happening, He pulled down his trousers.”
The schoolgirl sobbed as she said “I was a bit shocked and a bit scared as well. He lay down on the bed with me. I was facing down.
“I didn't know what had happened. I was in shock and I was upset.”
She was asked how Craig was and answered: “He carried on as if it was a normal thing to do,” and added: I just jumped up and said 'I'm going for a shower' and walked out.”
The girl said: “I was in the shower for 30 minutes.”
The court heard that the girl contacted her best friend on Snapchat and added: “She was asking me what was wrong.”
The girl was asked: “Were you upset,” and replied: “Yes, I was crying.”
She added: “My friend told me to tell my mum.”
The court heard that the police were called in and underwear and other clothing worn by the girl that day was forensically examined.
Craig was also convicted of making or recording a moving image of him touching a woman's buttocks on one occasion of August 5, 2013.
He admitted making a recording of the 13-year-old girl's buttocks and had touched her buttocks.
Craig did not give evidence, but he denied attempting to rape the girl and making the recording of the woman's buttocks.
He was placed on the sex offenders' register.
Hear the latest news on Clyde 1 on FM, DAB, smart speaker or the Rayo app.