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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
National
Connor Gordon

Rapist attacked girl, 14, in Newmains woods then left her stranded in snow with no shoes on

A teenager left a vulnerable 14-year-old girl in the snow after raping her in woods at night.

Spencer Smith, 19, preyed on his victim in Newmains, North Lanarkshire, on February 1, 2019.

The schoolgirl left a hen do to meet Smith who led her into the woods known locally as The Bing. She tried to kick him away but Smith pounced on her. He then abandoned her in the snow without trainers before she was picked up by the police.

READ MORE: Woman who caused death of pensioner after hitting him with car avoids jail

Smith - a first offender from Wishaw - was convicted at the High Court in Glasgow to a single charge of rape. He was locked up and will be sentenced next month.

The court heard that the 14-year-old girl had a "fair bit to drink" at a hen do. She told officers that she was "dizzy and woozy".

The victim left nearby Robin's Bar to meet Smith and his friend before heading to the woodlands behind the pub around midnight.

In his closing speech, prosecutor John McElroy said: "Spencer Smith had sex with a drunk child.

"She said she 'tried to get him off with kicking him'. Then he left her in the snow, without her trainers and freezing we heard her call to 999."

Police officers met the victim at the bar who was "heavily under the influence of alcohol...and very upset".

Mr McElroy stated: "Smith knew she was not consenting but persisted anyway, taking his sexual pleasure from an incapable child, under the significant influence of alcohol who was trying to kick him off."

Smith told jurors in his evidence that the sex was entirely consensual.

The advocate depute put it to him that the police and toxicologist all spoke about alcohol and the effect it had on the girl.

He said: "If the jury take these things as true, they possibly cast your evidence in a different light."

Smith replied: "I suppose."

After his conviction, Smith broke down in the dock as did members in the public gallery.

He was heard to say: "Absolute joke" before being led into the cells.

Smith was put on the sex offenders register for a period of time which will be determined at the sentencing.

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