Predator jailed after sex attack on woman he claims he thought was his wife.

Sex Predator Jailed for New Year's Attack

Roddy Kerr, 47, has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for sexually assaulting a woman at his home in Hamilton, Lanarkshire on New Year's Day 2020.

Kerr claimed he mistook the victim for his wife of 13 years, stating he had gone to bed in a spare room and "nuzzled" beside who he thought was his wife. However, the woman was not his wife, and Kerr admitted to intimately touching her in bed.

Kerr insisted the woman was awake and "engaging" in the interaction. He later sent a text message to the victim apologizing for "the incident that happened - because I got into bed thinking it was with my wife."

During the trial, Kerr stated he met with the victim a week later to "try and clear the air" and "put it behind us." He described the meeting as "awkward," with "not a lot said."

The prosecutor, Alex Sutherland, challenged Kerr's claim, stating "You had mistaken your wife of 13 years for this woman? I suggest that is preposterous. It is not true." Kerr denied this.

Kerr was found guilty of sexual assault by a jury at the High Court in Glasgow. Jurors rejected the more serious charge of attempted rape.

Sentencing was deferred for background reports. Kerr's lawyer, Donna Armstrong, stated that Kerr "remains married to his wife. She supports him and has done since the commission of the offence."

Judge Kevin McCallum KC sentenced Kerr to 14 months in prison, stating that Kerr had "taken advantage" of the woman. He also placed Kerr on the sex offenders register and issued a non-harassment order prohibiting him from contacting the victim for the next 10 years.

The judge said: "Your actions have had a significant impact on your victim."