CRAIG BRETT SENTENCED IN DUNDEE FOR ABDUCTION AND SEXUAL ASSAULT OF TEENAGER

A dangerous offender, Craig Brett, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being found guilty of abducting, raping, and sexually assaulting a teenage girl in Dundee. The incident, which took place in July 2021, shocked the local community and highlighted the severity of his crimes.

Craig Brett, aged 51, was convicted of a series of heinous acts that included forcibly detaining the 15-year-old girl in a flat within Dundee and subjecting her to a sexual assault. The court heard that Brett prevented the girl from leaving the premises by threatening her and making her comply with his demands, including forcing her to wear stiletto-heeled shoes. During the ordeal, he engaged in disturbing behavior, such as licking her feet, an act corroborated by forensic evidence including DNA and saliva analysis presented during the trial at the High Court in Edinburgh.

The court was told that Brett's threats extended beyond physical harm; he threatened to kill members of her family and to harm her pet cat. Throughout the attack, the girl pleaded with him to stop, clutching a toy panda for comfort amid the trauma. Brett also confiscated her mobile phones and a tablet computer to prevent her from seeking help or alerting others to her situation.

During the proceedings, the judge, Alison Stirling, described Brett as a high risk of reoffending sexually. She acknowledged that Brett claimed to have been under the influence of alcohol, cocaine, and Valium at the time of the attack. Despite recognizing his significant physical and mental health issues, the judge emphasized that custody was the only appropriate sentence given the gravity of his actions.

As part of his punishment, Brett was sentenced to 11 years and eight months in prison. Additionally, he was ordered to remain on the sex offenders register indefinitely and will be subject to a three-year period of supervised release on license after his release. During this period, any breach of conditions could result in his return to incarceration. The court also issued a non-harassment order, explicitly prohibiting him from contacting the victim.

In a separate case, Brett was found guilty of earlier offenses involving the same girl, who was between nine and 11 years old at the time. These included molestation and sexual assault at a different location in Dundee. He had previously denied some of these charges but was convicted after evidence was presented.

Furthermore, Brett admitted to failing to appear for a scheduled court hearing at the High Court in Stirling on January 22 of this year. His defense counsel, Wendy Culross, acknowledged that Brett has faced significant personal difficulties, including depression and anxiety, and that he struggles with substance abuse, often using drugs and alcohol to cope with his mental health issues. She emphasized his awareness of the seriousness of his situation.

Judge Stirling concluded by reaffirming the importance of public safety, stating that Brett's ongoing registration on the sex offenders list and the restrictions placed upon him are necessary measures to protect the community from further harm.