LEE COLLINS FROM EAST KILBRIDE SENTENCED TO LIFE FOR STALKING AND ASSAULTING TEEN GIRLS

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of East Kilbride, Lanarkshire, Lee Collins, a 19-year-old man, was handed a life sentence in the High Court in Edinburgh after a series of disturbing incidents involving young women. The court heard how Collins had committed a brutal assault on a 19-year-old girl and engaged in a pattern of stalking behavior targeting two other teenage females, raising serious concerns about his potential for further violence.

The judge, Lord Nimmo Smith, did not hold back in his sentencing remarks, warning that Collins' actions could escalate into even more heinous crimes, including rape or murder. He stated, “It is not difficult when one looks at the pattern of behaviour to think of some unfortunate young woman on her way home at night being raped and strangled by him.” This stark warning underscores the gravity of Collins' conduct and the threat he poses to the safety of young women in the area.

The incidents took place in East Kilbride over the course of the previous year, beginning in May. The first reported incident involved Collins following a 16-year-old girl who was on her way to meet friends. He stalked her so closely that he was in danger of tripping over her heels. Fortunately, the girl noticed her friends in the distance and quickly used her mobile phone to alert them, allowing her to escape the potentially dangerous situation.

The following month, Collins' behavior grew more aggressive. He pushed another teenage girl into a hedge, then proceeded to squeeze her neck and cover her mouth with his hand. During the assault, he also dug his fingernails into her cheek and punched her in the eyes. Despite her efforts to escape, the girl managed to run away from the scene, but the trauma of the attack was evident.

In light of these serious offences, Lord Nimmo Smith imposed a discretionary life sentence on Collins, with a minimum term of five years before he could be considered for parole. The court's decision reflects the severity of Collins' actions and the ongoing concern for the safety of young women in East Kilbride and beyond.