Government consultant jailed for attempted male rape

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A Labour consultant has been jailed for 30 months for the attempted rape of a man at a party.

Derek Barrett, 34, and his victim were at a social event in Bishopbriggs, Glasgow, in January 2007.

The victim, a 25-year-old gay man, told Glasgow high court he had fallen asleep fully clothed on a bed at the venue. He said he woke to find himself naked and Barrett touching and kissing him.

He said Barrett attempted to rape him and told him to stop. He said Barrett told him to be silent, at which point he pushed him off and fled the house.

He then ran naked for a mile to a friend’s house where he was still sobbing uncontrollably when police arrived to take his statement.

Barrett was originally charged with rape but this was reduced to attempted rape after prosecutor Andrew Miller said there was a lack of corroboration.

He denied the charge throughout the case but DNA evidence showed there had been sexual contact.

Judge Mark Stewart, QC, told Barrett: “You have been convicted by a jury of the attempted sodomy of the complainer.

“It was clear from the evidence the events had a profound effect on the complainer. This was a matter which caused him the most severe distress.”

In defence, Sean Templeton said Barrett, who worked for a number of government departments, was suffering from ongoing health problems due to a brain tumour.

Barrett has also been placed on the sex offenders’ register.

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