Man who tried to rape student at Midlothian college campus jailed
He also sexually assaulted a second student the following night
A sex attacker who attempted to rape a student at a Scots college campus has been jailed for more than two years and placed on the sex offenders register.
Calum Thomas Jamieson sexually assaulted two women on separate occasions while they were students and staying at accommodation at Newbattle Abbey College in Dalkeith, Midlothian, in 2024.
Jamieson, from Gremista, Shetland, attacked the first victim by entering a bathroom and kissing her on the lips before chasing her from the room and grabbing her by the body.
The 43-year-old assailant then attempted to lead the distressed woman out of the college building with the intent to rape her in the grounds outside.
Jamieson also sexually assaulted a second student the following night by placing his arms around her, repeatedly stroking her body and squeezing her buttocks over her clothing.
He denied the allegations against him but was found guilty by a jury following a three day trial at Edinburgh Sheriff Court earlier this year.
Following the guilty verdicts Jamieson sacked his lawyer and was given extra time by a sheriff to find new legal representation to deal with his sentencing.
But when he appeared back at the capital court on Friday, Jamieson told Sheriff Matthew Auchincloss he had failed in his attempts to employ a solicitor to represent him.
He said: “I am completely innocent and all of this never happened.”
Sheriff Auchincloss said he had given Jamieson enough time and proceeded to sentencing.
The sheriff said: “You were convicted by the jury of sexual assaults on two young women of which they and you were students at the Newbattle Abbey College and residents on separate nights.
“The women could be said to be vulnerable by reason of their age and the fact they were staying away from home and there was a considerable age gap between you and both women.
“You have shown no remorse for your offending and no recognition on the impact the events have had on these young women.”
The sheriff added Jamieson has previous convictions for assault, dishonesty and breaching court orders and said in his view “there is no appropriate way of dealing with you other than a custodial sentence”.
Jamieson was jailed for a total of 27 months and has had his name added to the sex offenders register for 10 years.
Jamieson was found guilty of sexually assaulting two women at Newbattle Abbey College, Dalkeith, Midlothian, on September 14 and 15, 2024.