Dad-of-three groped teen girl while she slept in caravan

A PERVERT who drunkenly groped a friend's teenage daughter as she slept is facing a lengthy prison sentence.

Kevin Cowley faces a lengthy prison sentence. Picture: Vic Rodrick

Lorry driver Kevin Cowley attacked the 15-year-old as she slept in a caravan in Prestonpans, East Lothian, on May 21 last year.

The father-of-three, 57, of Broadhurst Road, Easthouses, Midlothian, was remanded in custody after pleading guilty to sexual assault at Livingston High Court yesterday.

Advocate depute Lynsey MacDonald said Cowley had known the complainer all her life.

On the day leading up to the offence, Cowley had been on a £100 drinking binge in Leith before phoning the girl’s mother to ask for a lift.

Her parents went to bed leaving Cowley and the girl’s brother to sleep in the living area of the caravan.

His terrified victim woke at around 2am while being assaulted by Cowley, also a member of the travelling community.

“She panicked and got out of bed,” Mrs MacDonald told the court. “The accused was standing between her and her bedroom door and she pushed him out of the way and ran out of the bedroom.

“She screamed as she ran through the living room to her parents’ bedroom. She was crying. All she was able to say was: ‘It’s Kevin!’”

She said the family immediately confronted the accused who told them: “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it.”

He was told to sit down and wait while the girl’s mum phoned 999 to summon the police.

Police officers attended immediately due to the nature of the call and the girl’s mother pointed to the accused and said: “It’s him.”

The advocate depute said Cowley did not deny he had touched the complainer but didn’t want to talk about what he had done.

Forensic tests revealed traces of the accused’s DNA as well as saliva on the complainer’s body.

Solicitor advocate Brian Gilfedder, defending, said he would reserve his plea in mitigation.

He told judge Lord Boyd: “Given the fact he has no previous convictions your Lordship is required to call for reports.

“He’s presently on bail. He’s never been in trouble before, and he has obeyed his bail conditions.”

Remanding Kevin Cowley in custody, Lord Boyd explained to him: “Bail would not be appropriate in a case such as this.”

He added Cowley’s name to the sex offenders’ register and notified Scottish Ministers of his conviction under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007.

Sentence was adjourned until August 20 for reports.