TOP SCOTS UNION OFFICIAL WITH 'FETISH FOR LADIES' UNDERWEAR' CONVICTED OF SEXUAL ASSAULT

A prominent trade union official with a 'fetish' for wearing ladies' underwear has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman. Gerry Crawley, who previously served as a Labour councillor and has supported civilian police and fire service workers across Scotland, denied the allegations but was convicted by Sheriff Thomas Millar following a trial. During court proceedings, the victim testified that Crawley had visited her and according to her, he would wear women's underwear during these visits. She recounted a specific incident where he dropped his trousers to his knees and asked her to touch the underwear he was wearing, which included white lace French knickers. The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, also claimed that he groped her in a pub near Hampden Park just before a football match in May 2017, and that he had often visited her while dressed in women's clothes. Crawley admitted to having a 'fetish' for wearing women's clothing and described his relationship with the woman as 'inappropriate' but insisted there was no criminal intent, stating he never touched her without her consent and that he believed they had a consensual relationship. The court was told that he had denied sexual assault charges on multiple occasions between January 2016 and July 2018. The sheriff convicted him of the charges and indicated that a report was to be prepared before sentencing, which was deferred until May 15. The case has garnered media attention due to the nature of the allegations and the defendant's previous community roles.