Pensioner handed jail sentence after attacking Glasgow sex workers

A pensioner will spend the next 28 months in jail, after a spate of attacks on sex workers in Glasgow.

David Barnes, who is 76 years old, assaulted two women at his home in Garthamlock, and another in the Gallowgate area between February 2021 and July 2022.

Glasgow Sheriff Court was told the first attack at his home happened after an argument turned violent.

Prosecutor Darren Harty said: "He grabbed her and slapped her on the face.

"He then grabbed her over her clothing in the genital area."

The woman was able to flee the flat and went to a friend's house.

Barnes went on to attack the second woman in January 2022 also at his home.

Barnes became agitated and aggressive towards her, claiming that he was owed £5 for food.

Mr Harty said: "He grabbed her by the hair then dug his nails into her scalp and pulled some of her hair our."

Barnes then let go of her before the woman walked home.

Barnes struck for a final time six months later in the city's Gallowgate.

The woman entered Barnes' car where he became aggressive towards her.

She attempted to exit the vehicle but she was grabbed by her right bicep which was squeezed tightly.

Mr Harty added: "The woman made attempts to get away but he pulled her for a 60 second period.

"The woman heard a crunching noise on her shoulder."

She was able to get away while Barnes shouted "obscenities" at her from his car.

The woman later attended hospital where she was found to have suffered brusing to the shoulder.

Barnes pled guilty to one charge of sexual assault and two charges of assault.

Raymond McIlwham, defending, told the court: "These are unusual offences towards the victims who are sex workers.

"He appreciates the seriousness of the matters."

Sheriff Louise Arrol KC put Barnes on the sex offenders register for 10 years as well as imposing the jail sentence.

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