A SCHOOLGIRL told today how a horrific sex attack left her life in tatters after the man who tried to rape her in a West Lothian park was jailed for seven years.
The 14-year-old blacked out as she was subjected to a brutal assault after being dragged into the bushes of a Bathgate park by 18-year-old Scott Walker.
Detectives traced Walker using DNA from his saliva, which was found on a button on the victim’s trousers which he had tried to bite off.
Walker was jailed for seven years at Glasgow High Court yesterday after admitting attempting to rape the girl.
Today, the 14-year-old told of her relief at seeing Walker behind bars, and how she was still receiving counselling nine months after the attack.
Walker pounced on the girl as she walked home through the park.
He dragged her into bushes before threatening to kill her if she didn’t stop screaming.
The schoolgirl, who lives in the Bathgate area, had been so traumatised by the brutal assault she had refused to allow doctors to examine her.
She said today: “After it happened, I felt dirty and cheap and I was terrified.
“I am scared of how it is going to affect me in the future. I’m still having counselling, but I am trying not to let it get the better of me and am trying to get on with my life.” The teenager said the attack had left her fearful of venturing far from home.
“I don’t go out very much and I don’t go too far away from my house.
“It has hit the rest of my family hard too. We are trying to get on with it though and I talk to my mum.
“I am that happy he is in prison and not on the streets on the loose.”
Police today welcomed the sentencing of Walker. Detective Sergeant Scott Young, who led the hunt for her attacker, said today: “I’m delighted to get a result on this case for the victim and her family.”
He added: “I hope this will help to bring closure to what has been a very stressful period for the whole family and allow them to move on.”
The court earlier heard of the impression which the traumatised victim had left on two female doctors, who had been sent to examine her shortly after the attack.
One wrote in her notes: “She was very withdrawn, frightened and whimpering in pain.”
Walker was caught later after a witness read a media appeal and remembered she had seen him riding his bicycle.
Detectives matched his DNA after traces of saliva were found after Walker bit the buttons of her trousers.
Lord Philip ordered Walker’s name to be placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register. Walker, of Race Road, Bathgate, admitted attempting to rape the girl in Meadow Park.
His plea of not guilty to part of the charge alleging he stamped on the girl’s neck was accepted by the Crown.
The judge, Lord Philip, told Walker he had carried out a “terrible offence” on his defenceless 14-year-old victim.
He added: “Your behaviour gives serious concern and a custodial sentence must be imposed to enable the substantial gravity of the offence to be recognised.”
Lord Philip also ordered Walker to be supervised in the community for three years after his release from jail.
