Teenage boy was sexually assaulted at Boat of Garten hotel
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A teenager was sexually assaulted in a Strathspey hotel bedroom after drinking with his abuser in the bar on successive nights.
Inverness Sheriff Court heard that the young man had been helping 42 year old Derek Ross with a job he was doing in Boat of Garten for a few days in January last year and Ross said they had to share a room.
Fiscal depute Victoria Silver told Sheriff Sara Matheson that the victim suspected that his drink may have been spiked by Ross, of Cairnsmore Road, Castle Douglas, Dumfries.
"He told the barman he thought his pint tasted odd and had it replaced," Ms Silver said.
The prosecutor said that Ross had then made a comment that he recalled another occasion in a bar when he suspected his drink had been spiked and the teenager thought that this was also odd.
"The following day they again drank together and during the night, he woke up with an arm around him and a hand down his boxers, fondling his penis," Ms Silver went on.
She added that because the teenager was sleepy, he initially thought it was his girlfriend but quickly realised it was Derek Ross.
"He immediately exited the bed and left the room," Ms Silver said.
"He had no clothing on. He phoned his mother and was extremely upset. Police were called and when officers arrived, he was very distressed.
"He was of the view that he was drunker than he should have been considering what he had to drink earlier. Derek Ross was traced a short time later."
Ross admitted carrying out a sexual act without consent in the Boat Country Inn in Boat of Garten on January 19 or 20, last year.
Sentence was deferred until December 21 for a background report and Ross was immediately placed on the Sex Offender's Register.
