JOHN JEFFERY FROM ANNAN SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT IN DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY

In March 2021, a disturbing case of sexual assault unfolded in Dumfries and Galloway, involving a man named John Jeffery from Annan. The incident took place in a residential flat, where a young mother was subjected to a heinous act while she was asleep. The assault occurred during a night when Jeffery, after a drinking session with her brother, entered her sleeping area and committed a sexual offence that would leave lasting psychological scars.

According to court proceedings, the woman was sleeping at the bottom of a bunk bed when Jeffery, who had been drinking with her brother in the living room, entered her space. She was unaware of his presence as she slept. Jeffery then removed her leggings and performed a sexual act on her without her consent. The woman’s brother was present in the flat, lying on a couch and unaware of the assault taking place. The victim was so distressed by the incident that she fled the flat in tears, seeking safety and comfort elsewhere.

Following the attack, Jeffery attempted to contact her via text messages, apologizing for his actions. Despite his remorse, he denied the assault in court, claiming that the woman had consented to the encounter. He also falsely stated that he had given her oral pleasure at her flat in Paisley, near Glasgow, attempting to distort the facts of the case.

However, the jury saw through his lies and convicted him of sexually assaulting the woman by performing a sex act on her without her consent. Jeffery, aged 35, had previously fled from Renfrewshire to Ayrshire and later moved to Annan and Dumfries while awaiting trial for the November 2017 incident. His trial was held at Paisley Sheriff Court, and he was convicted in January after a thorough examination of the evidence.

Sentencing was initially deferred to allow for background reports, but Jeffery was brought back to court to face his punishment. Sheriff Seith Ireland addressed the court, highlighting that Jeffery had consumed a significant amount of alcohol before committing the offence. The sheriff emphasized the profound impact the assault had on the victim, noting her evident hesitation and wariness about inviting anyone into her home in the aftermath.

In his sentencing remarks, Sheriff Ireland pointed out Jeffery’s previous conviction for a violent assault in 2005, which resulted in an 18-month prison sentence for a sexual assault. The sheriff also ordered Jeffery to be placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for ten years, underscoring the seriousness of the crime. The judge described the attack as “a very serious matter indeed.”

During the trial, the victim provided evidence from behind a screen, recounting that she had gone to bed leaving Jeffery and her brother drinking and listening to music in the living room. She testified that she woke up to find Jeffery in a compromising position, performing a sex act on her against her will. The woman described her emotional distress, revealing that she fled the flat in tears and had to provide police with her clothing and even used toilet paper as evidence after wiping herself during the assault.

She also handed over the keys to the flat, as Jeffery was still inside at the time. In the days following the incident, she stayed with a friend for safety. Swabs taken from her confirmed the presence of Jeffery’s DNA, linking him directly to the assault. The day after the attack, Jeffery sent her a message apologizing, writing: “I’m so soz if I freaked you out. I just thought you might be wanting that. Don’t freak out. I misread the signals. I’m so so soz.”

Jeffery’s actions and subsequent conviction highlight the severity of the crime and its impact on the victim. His sentencing reflects the judicial system’s stance on sexual offences, especially those committed in circumstances where trust and safety are compromised.