ABERDEEN STUDENT PLEADS GUILTY TO SEXUAL ASSAULT AT HOGMANAY PARTY
An Aberdeen University student sexually assaulted a young woman during a Hogmanay party at his flat, a court has heard.Dominic Gallo, aged 23, appeared in Aberdeen Sheriff Court facing a single charge that he kissed and groped a fellow student without her consent and while she was incapacitated.
The court was told how Gallo asked the woman if she wanted to call a taxi before taking her into his bedroom and assaulting her.
He pleaded guilty to one charge of sexual assault at a flat on Castle Terrace in Aberdeen on New Year’s Day last year.
Fiscal depute David Ballock described how the woman and her friends had attended a New Year’s Eve concert before going to Gallo’s flat for a party.
In her police statement, the woman explained she considered herself drunk and felt lightheaded after inhaling a popper inhalant.
She recounted how Gallo approached her at 3am on January 1 and suggested they call a taxi.
He then led her to his bedroom, where she remembers being on her back, with Gallo kissing her and touching her.
She described feeling dazed and being told, "You are really drunk, I feel bad.
Do you want me to stop?".
Despite feeling dazed, she responded that she was very drunk.
Gallo continued his advances until someone entered the room, causing her to immediately get up and run away.
The woman later told a lecturer at Aberdeen University about Gallo’s inappropriate touching, which prompted her to report the incident to the police.
Officers tracked Gallo down, cautioned, and arrested him.
His defence lawyer requested a social work report before sentencing.
Sheriff William Summers deferred sentencing to allow this report and also placed Gallo on the sex offenders register.
Gallo's address was given as Claremont Place, Aberdeen, with the court emphasizing the serious nature of his actions.
