COATBRIDGE MAN MARTIN LOCHRANE FOUND GUILTY OF RAPE IN AIRDIRE - SHOCKING CRIME AGAINST 15-YEAR-OLD GIRL

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Coatbridge and the surrounding areas, Martin Lochrane, a 28-year-old man, has been convicted of raping a sleeping 15-year-old girl in Airdrie. The heinous incident took place in April of the previous year, and the court proceedings revealed the full extent of the trauma inflicted upon the young victim.

Prosecutors described Lochrane’s actions as “degrading and disgusting,” emphasizing the severity of the crime. Despite his claims that the girl had consented to the sexual encounter, the evidence presented in court painted a very different picture. The jury was told how the terrified teenager was “borderline hysterical” after being assaulted at a property in Airdrie, a town close to Coatbridge where Lochrane is known to reside.

The court heard that the girl was asleep on a sofa when she suddenly awoke to find Lochrane engaging in sexual activity with her. The young victim recounted how Lochrane attempted to silence her by covering her mouth with his arm and warned her not to tell anyone about what was happening. Her distress was palpable, and she was described as being in an “extreme state of distress” for hours following the assault.

During the trial, the prosecution’s advocate, Mark McGuire, challenged Lochrane’s claims of consent. He pointed out that if the act had truly been consensual, the girl would not have been so distraught immediately afterward. Instead, she called her sister and parents in tears, clearly overwhelmed by what had occurred. McGuire dismissed Lochrane’s account as “utter hogwash,” describing his version of events as “cynical and unconvincing.”

The prosecutor emphasized that the attack was “deliberate, degrading and disgusting,” highlighting the severity of the crime and the impact on the young girl. Lochrane now faces a significant prison sentence following his conviction for rape. He is scheduled to be sentenced on November 30 in Edinburgh, where the court will determine the length of his incarceration. The community awaits the outcome, which will serve as a stark reminder of the importance of justice for victims of such heinous acts.