Man who entered Dundee home before attempting to rape female student jailed
Derek Lewis had carried out an attack on another woman earlier that night
Last updated 3rd Dec 2024
A man who was found by flatmates standing near a knife in their Dundee bathroom before he attempted to rape a woman has been jailed.
Derek Lewis entered the city centre accommodation without the group’s knowledge or consent around 11pm on February 20th, 2024.
He was found in the bathroom, standing near a knife that had been taken from the kitchen.
After being ejected from the property, the 40-year-old then went on to attack a female student off King Street, dragging her into nearby bushes.
It only ended after a member of the public heard shouts for help and confronted Lewis, who ran away.
Earlier that evening, Lewis had attacked another student after she'd visited a supermarket on South Ward Road.
He had grabbed her from behind and covered her mouth with his hand before fleeing.
Police traced Lewis through CCTV footage within an hour.
He pleaded guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh in November to three charges.
And earlier today, the 40-year-old was sentenced to six years and eight months behind bars.
He was also put on the sex offenders register indefinitely.
Scotland’s Procurator Fiscal for High Court Sexual Offending, Katrina Parkes, said:
“Derek Lewis is a dangerous individual who preyed on these two women as they were walking home. The trauma inflicted by this type of behaviour is unimaginable.
“His offending resulted in an additional three people being left in fear after discovering him inside their home, where they should have been safe.
“I hope this prosecution brings some assurance to the local community and beyond that COPFS takes this type of criminal conduct extremely seriously.
“I would urge anyone who has been the victim of similar offending to come forward and report it.
“You will be listened to and supported as we use all the tools available to use to seek justice.”