GREENOCK MAN JAILED FOR SERIES OF SEXUAL ASSAULTS
A GREENOCK predator who sexually assaulted four women in separate attacks over the course of seven years has been jailed.Douglas Park targeted the individuals between August 2015 and February 2022, with one of the victims being asleep during his assault.
The 26-year-old had denied all charges against him but was found guilty by a jury following a trial at Greenock Sheriff Court last month.
He attacked the first complainer at an address in Greenock in August 2015 by repeatedly placing his hand inside her lower clothing and sexually assaulting her.
A second woman was assaulted at the Cathouse nightclub in Glasgow city centre around three months later, when Park put his hands around her waist and touched her over and underneath her clothes.
The third incident took place in Greenock in April 2019, with Park placing another woman’s hand on his genitals.
He further sexually assaulted this woman after putting his hands inside her lower clothing.
Park was also convicted of a fourth attack, carried out in Glasgow’s west end, when he touched his victim underneath her clothing as she slept in February 2022.
Following a five-day trial, jurors unanimously found him guilty of the first three charges, as well as delivering a majority guilty verdict in relation to the fourth incident.
Park returned to court for sentencing on Tuesday, with Sheriff Anthony McGeehan having previously called for social work background reports.
Defending, advocate Duncan McPhie told the court that his client accepted the verdict of the jury but maintained his position of “absolute denial”.
Mr McPhie also highlighted that Park was aged 17, 21 and 24 when the offences were committed and asked the court to consider Scottish Sentencing Council guidelines for those under 25.
Sheriff McGeehan said he had taken into account his age and the fact that he appeared as a first offender in arriving at a suitable sentence.
He told Park he had taken advantage of “vulnerable young females” in engaging in a “course of predatory behaviour” against them.
Sheriff McGeehan added: “The harm you caused your victims was apparent at trial.
“A custodial sentence is the only appropriate disposal in your case.” Park, who previously lived in Greenock but now resides in Glasgow, was jailed for two years.
He will also remain on the sex offenders register for a period of ten years.
