Man admits sexual assault charge

A MAN from Lerwick who admitted a charge of sexual assault has had his bail continued pending a social work report.

Adam James Wood pleaded guilty at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday to getting into bed naked with a sleeping woman without her knowledge or consent following a night out in the town on 8 October 2017.

The court heard that Wood, 28, of Robertson Crescent, had gone to a flat where the woman was staying the night, after she had earlier rebuffed his attempt to kiss her in a night club.

Returning to the flat from the club shortly before 3am, the victim had left the door of the ground floor property open so that her female friend who lived there could get back in after she had been to a party.

On wakening the next morning, she had been shocked to find Wood, who had taken his clothes off, sleeping beside her and contacted her friend who had still not returned home.

After her friend returned and Wood was put out, the police were called.

Wood continued to send remorseful messages to the complainer on social media.

The court heard that there was no suggestion of sexual contact other than the victim becoming aware of Wood’s body hair when she awoke beside him.

But procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said that Wood had lied to police and made up a story that he had been so drunk he had gone to the wrong flat, having pre-arranged to stay the night with another woman.

Enquiries revealed this to be untrue and that he had only an acquaintance with this other woman.

Mackenzie said that Wood was not a friend of the complainer, but part of the same extended peer group.

Sheriff Ian Cruickshank called for a criminal justice social work report to be produced for Wood’s next appearance on 20 June and said that given the nature of the offence, Wood would be subject to notification requirements under the sexual offences act.