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Woman sentenced for sexually assaulting a gay man

Frank McGowan said the post-traumatic stress disorder he suffered following the vile sex attack almost made her commit suicide.

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According to him, the punishment for the offence would have been more severe if the culprit was a male and the victim, female.

He disclosed that he was attacked by Cheryl Cottrell at a house party after she made several “sickening” comments after finding out he was gay.

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She requested that Frank slept with her and became angry when he tried to fend off her aggressive advances.

According to the victim, the rapist then followed him into the kitchen and sexually assaulted him when he bent over to pick something up.

Cottrell was found guilty of sexual assault and ordered to carry out 120 hours of community service. She was also placed on the sex offenders register.

However, Mr. McGowan who is also a film maker, said the punishment didn't match the crime and said his life had been ripped apart by the attack at the Glasgow house party in May 2015.

“The punishment was ridiculous. I've been told if it was man who did that to a woman, the sentence would be five years in prison.

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“The worst part was Cottrell thought it was hilarious and showed no signs of remorse...I wanted to throw away everything good in my life over one absolutely abhorrent woman. She's pure evil.”

He further revealed how his relationship with his partner fell apart, saying he was forced to move home and he has flashbacks and severe panic attacks.

Frank stressed that the trauma of the trial led to him developing post-traumatic stress disorder and he even contemplated suicide.

Cheryl Cottrell denied attacking him, but was found guilty of sexual assault in August after a trial at Glasgow Sheriff Court.

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Cottrell was found guilty of causing fear and alarm to her victim. But she was admonished on that charge, meaning she received no fine or imprisonment.

She was found not guilty of a charge under section seven of the Sexual Offences act, covering indecent verbal communication.

Meanwhile, Rape Crisis Scotland said under the law, the use of fingers to penetrate does not count as rape.

The organisation's Sandy Brindley said, “Sexual offences can have a significant impact and it is important that sentences reflect the seriousness of the crime.”

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