SHAUN PHILLIPS FROM EAST KILBRIDE SENTENCED FOR RAPE IN GLASGOW HIGH COURT

On February 27, 2021, Shaun Phillips, a man residing in East Kilbride, committed a serious sexual assault against a woman while she was in a vulnerable state. The incident took place at his flat in East Kilbride, where Phillips took advantage of the woman during a time when she was intoxicated, asleep, and unable to give her consent. The gravity of his actions was brought to light during a trial held in Lanark last month, where Phillips was found guilty of raping the woman.

Following the conviction, Phillips faced sentencing at the High Court in Glasgow. Judge Douglas Brown delivered a stern judgment, sentencing him to five years in prison. The judge emphasized that Phillips had exploited the woman’s incapacitated state with a blatant disregard for her well-being and the trauma inflicted upon her. In his remarks, Judge Brown highlighted the severity of the offense, stating that Phillips had 'took advantage' of the woman without any regard for her feelings or safety.

Furthermore, Judge Brown revealed that when the woman eventually awoke from her unconsciousness, she was so distressed that she considered jumping out of the window of Phillips’ twelfth-floor flat. This detail underscored the profound psychological impact of the assault on her. As part of his sentence, Phillips was also placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely, marking a lifetime restriction due to the nature of his crime.

Prosecutors underscored the predatory aspect of Phillips’ actions, stressing that he had targeted a woman who was clearly vulnerable at the time. Despite the conviction, Phillips’ legal team maintained his innocence, with his defense claiming he had the support of his brother. The victim’s ordeal left her visibly shaken; she was described as 'scared, shaking and constantly crying' in the aftermath of the attack, illustrating the lasting emotional scars caused by the assault. The case has drawn significant attention to issues of consent and the protection of vulnerable individuals within the community of East Kilbride and beyond.