JAMES BLACK SENTENCED FOR RAPE IN ARDROSSAN: SHOCKING ATTACK ON SLEEPING WOMAN

In December 2021, a disturbing case unfolded in Ardrossan involving James Black, a 60-year-old man convicted of sexually assaulting a woman who was asleep in his flat. The incident took place on October 13, 2019, within Black's residence located in Ardrossan's Dockers Gardens. The victim, significantly younger by 30 years, was known to Black and had agreed to stay overnight at his flat after they spent the evening together.

According to court proceedings, Black took advantage of the woman while she was in a state of sleep. The woman recounted that she was lying in bed when the assault occurred, describing the scene as eerily quiet, with Black not speaking during the incident. She explained, “It was really quiet. He did not speak… like he was trying not to make any noise at all. I tried to roll away, but he continued. It was weirdly quiet. The impression I got was he was trying not to wake me up.”

The woman managed to escape from the bed and leave the flat, fleeing into the pouring rain. Despite having limited funds, she managed to get a taxi to return home. During the journey, visibly distressed and tearful, she confided in the driver, saying, “I think I have just been raped. What gave him the right? I was asleep. I did not give him any encouragement.”

The court heard that the pair had a prior acquaintance and had enjoyed a “good night” before the assault. The victim’s account and evidence led to Black’s conviction after a trial held in October. Last week, at the High Court in Glasgow, Lady Rae sentenced Black to a term of five years in prison. She acknowledged that Black had no previous convictions and that this was his first offense at the age of 60. Despite this, she emphasized that the sentence could not be less than five years, reflecting the severity of the crime.

Lady Rae stated, “You took advantage of a lady who was asleep at the time and you raped her. I will take into account that you have no previous convictions and that this is your first offence at the age of 60. As a result, I am going to limit the sentence somewhat, but I cannot limit it to any less than five years imprisonment.”