The man who committed ‘sustained and pre-planned’ sexual assault has been jailed for almost three years

A 28-year-old man from Lerwick who committed a lengthy and pre-planned sexual assault has been jailed for almost three years.

Adam James Burnett has also been placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely following his conviction at Lerwick Sheriff Court today (Wednesday).

Sheriff Ian Cruickshank said it was a “sustained and worrying sexual assault involving digital penetration”.

“There was also an element of restraint, which prevented the complainant from leaving the room where the attack had taken place,” he added.

Sheriff Cruickshank acknowledged that Burnett’s actions were “disinhibited by alcohol” but added that he believed there was an “element of prior planning”.

Given the nature of the crime and Burnett’s two previous similar convictions, Sheriff Cruickshank said he had no choice but to jail Burnett.

The court previously heard that Burnett, from Robertson Cresent, sexually assaulted his victim on a sofa in front of her friends after a night out on the town in November 2022.

He messaged a friend on the night of the attack to say he was going to have sex with the complainant “and she doesn’t even know”.

During his assault, he forced his hand under clothing, repeatedly attempted to kiss her, pushed her hand onto his naked penis, attempted to force his penis into her clothing, and sexually penetrated her vagina with his fingers.

Defense agent Tommy Allan said it was a “difficult case for mitigation” to make as a lawyer.

He acknowledged that a young woman had been subjected to an invasion of her body ‘in the most personal way’ and accepted that this would have caused ‘much suffering’.

Mr Allan also repeatedly emphasized that his client did not want to blame the victim on someone else

“To be clear, this is not the victim’s fault,” he said.

However, Mr Allan said his job was to highlight the situation from the suspect’s perspective and provide some context.

Mr Allan said Burnett did not go to the address with the intention of committing assault.

He said his client was attracted to the victim and “wanted to be with her.”

The lawyer said carrying out the attack would have prevented any chance of a relationship, even though the chance of that happening only existed in his own mind.

Mr Allan also said there was “no point” in trying to attack the victim on a sofa while her friends were in the room.

He said Burnett had “misinterpreted the signals” and “disregarded his victim”.

Highlighting reports prepared for the court, Mr Allan said they showed his client understood he had “crossed a line” and was “deeply remorseful”.

Mr Allan said alcohol was a common feature of his client’s offending and that, realizing the problems it had caused, he had stopped drinking.

In addition to his 35-month prison sentence, Burnett will also receive a 12-month release order.

The order means Burnett will be sent back to prison if he commits any further offenses during that period.