DUMBARTON MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO SEX ATTACK ON FRIEND
A Dumbarton man has admitted sexually assaulting a friend while she was sleeping on a sofa in his flat.Francis Hollern attacked the woman at his home in Victoria Street on March 29 last year.
The court hearing revealed that Hollern initially admitted the assault, but later denied it in a police interview, only for DNA evidence to link him to the crime.
The incident occurred after a period of heavy drinking, during which Hollern, the victim, and others visited Helensburgh before returning to Hollern's flat.
The court was told they had engaged in some sexual contact, but Hollern later claimed to police that he had kissed the victim but denied any further sexual activity.
When police arrested Hollern, he made a comment about honesty regarding the sex act.
DNA evidence was found on the victim's hand swabs, linking Hollern to the assault.
Hollern's previous assault in 2011, which resulted in the imprisonment of his attackers, was also discussed.
Hollern pled guilty to the sexual assault, and his sentence was deferred until March 6 for background reports.
He was placed on the sex offenders register and released on bail, with the length of time on the register to be decided at the next hearing.
10/09/2022 Sheriff Maxwell Hendry placed Hollern under social work supervision for two years and ordered him to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work in the community by September 2021.
He will be on the sex offenders register for two years.
