Birthday party rapist Stuart Hatch jailed for six years

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A 28-year-old man who admitted raping a girl at her 14th birthday party has been jailed for six years.

Stuart Hatch carried out the attack at a house in Paisley, Renfrewshire, in September 2012.

The High Court in Glasgow heard how he had attended the party with his wife who was pregnant at the time.

Hatch pleaded guilty to a charge of raping one girl and to a separate charge of making sexual comments to young girls at the party.

'Sexual remarks'

The court heard that the party took place just days before the victim's 14th birthday.

Prosecutor Shirley McKenna said Hatch was heard directing "sexual remarks" towards young female guests, which left them feeling "uncomfortable".

One described Hatch as "getting creepier and creepier" and some of the girls decided to leave due to his behaviour.

The victim was later in a bedroom at the house when she became aware of Hatch lying behind her.

He began touching her inappropriately before eventually raping the youngster.

Ms McKenna told the court: "She was scared, but pretended to be asleep."

The girl fled from the house after the attack and went to a friend's home where she was found to be "crying hysterically".

She said she had been raped and the police were contacted.

Hatch was later detained and claimed at the time that he had been "cuddling" with the girl.

He later admitted both charges brought against him.

Defence counsel Louise Arrol said Hatch was working in a managerial role at his work and the stress of the position had led to him drinking.

Jailing him, judge Lord Bannatyne told Hatch: "These events have had an appalling effect on your rape victim."

The judge described the sexual remarks made by Hatch to a group of teenage girls at the party as "nasty".