DNA snares man over unsolved rape

Feb 3 2010 Paisley Daily Express

A BINGO hall worker who was snared by cops SEVEN YEARS after he raped a teenage girl was finally behind bars last night.

John Morton, of Claymore Drive, Houston, pounced on his terrified 17-year-old victim in July 2002 as she sat outside her boyfriend’s flat.

The 32-year-old pervert remained at large until he was stopped by police last summer for a minor breach of the peace – and his DNA matched that taken from the sex attack.

Yesterday, first offender Morton appeared at the High Court in Glasgow, where he admitted to the rape.

Judge Lord Brailsford remanded him in custody and Morton faces a lengthy jail term when he returns to the dock next month to be sentenced.

The vicious attack happened after the victim had gone to her boyfriend’s home in Trafalgar Street, Clydebank, in the early hours of July 28, 2002.

He was not in, so she sat down outside the flat but she was then suddenly grabbed by Morton – who she did not know – and told to shut up.

The court heard how Morton struggled with the frightened girl, put his arm over her mouth and threatened to stab her.

A security light then came on and, while Morton attempted to switch it off, the victim tried to escape.

But he pushed her, pulled down her trousers and raped her.

Ashley Edwards, prosecuting, told the court that Morton then got up, jumped over a fence and ran off.

The distraught victim was soon discovered by a policeman who had been dealing with a pub break-in.

She told the officer: “I have been attacked.”

Morton was stopped by cops investigating the burglary but no action was taken against him at that time.

It was only in May last year that justice finally began to catch up with him as he was questioned over an alleged breach of the peace offence.

He provided a swab and the DNA on it matched that taken from the rape incident.

Morton was later questioned about the attack and denied knowing where Trafalgar Street was.

Lorraine Glancy, defending, told the court: “He understands that custody is inevitable.”

Morton waved to a couple – believed to be his parents – as he was led to the cells yesterday.

He is due to be sentenced at the High Court in Livingston in four weeks’ time.