KIRKCALDY BAR BOSS MICHAEL COWAN SENTENCED FOR RAPE AFTER NIGHTCLUB INCIDENT

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the local community of Kirkcaldy, Michael Cowan, a prominent figure in the town’s pub scene, has been sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman during a night out. The incident, which took place in September 2023, culminated in a harrowing trial at the High Court of Justiciary, where the court heard distressing details of the assault and the subsequent legal proceedings.

According to court records, the victim, identified only as JP, had been enjoying an evening out with friends at a nightclub in Kirkcaldy. During the course of the night, she encountered Cowan, who is well-known locally. Following their initial meeting, the pair, along with others, returned to Cowan’s flat for drinks. JP admitted to consuming wine and taking a line of cocaine that evening but maintained that she was not intoxicated to the point of losing control.

However, the night took a disturbing turn when JP lost track of her whereabouts and her memories became fragmented. Her next clear recollection was waking up in Cowan’s bed, with her dress pulled up and her tights down. She described feeling disoriented and confused, initially unaware of what had transpired. It was only when she looked up and saw Cowan pressed against her, with his erect penis against her body, that she realized she was in a distressing situation.

In a chilling account delivered in court, JP recounted how she passed out again and, upon waking for a second time, found Cowan’s penis inside her. Shocked and overwhelmed, she managed to grab her phone and attempted to leave the flat. Struggling to find a taxi, she described feeling as if she was “not feeling like herself,” which added to her distress. DNA evidence collected from her clothing later confirmed the presence of Cowan’s genetic material, supporting her claims of sexual contact without consent.

The jury was presented with Cowan’s version of events, in which he claimed that he had simply gone to sleep and did not touch the woman. However, the evidence and testimonies led to his conviction under the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009. Cowan was subsequently sentenced to four years in prison for his actions.

Following his conviction, Cowan attempted to appeal, arguing that there was no concrete proof that JP was asleep at the time of the alleged penetration and claiming that the jury’s verdict was unreasonable. Despite his efforts, Scotland’s highest court dismissed his appeal in July 2024, affirming that there was “ample evidence” supporting the conviction. The judges emphasized that the critical issue was the lack of consent, rather than whether JP was asleep during the assault, and upheld the original guilty verdict.

As Cowan begins serving his sentence, the case has reignited discussions within the community about consent, personal safety, and the prevalence of predatory behavior in Scotland’s nightlife scene, particularly in towns like Kirkcaldy. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of respecting boundaries and the ongoing need for vigilance in social environments.