'Sexsomnia' claim lawyer jailed for abuse

Andrew Lingard was jailed for seven years for a series of offences dating back to 2005

A lawyer who claimed he suffered from sexsomnia has been jailed for seven years after subjecting three victims to sexual abuse more than a decade ago.

Andrew Lingard was found guilty of raping one victim and indecent conduct against two children.

At the High Court in Edinburgh a judge told Lingard, 38, that the crimes he was convicted of were "very grave".

Judge Michael O'Grady KC added that he had undoubtedly caused dreadful pain to those who suffered through his actions.

The offences were carried out at addresses in West Lothian and a flat in Glasgow between 2005 and 2010.

Lingard's offending came to light after one of his victims started self-harming years later and suffered a mental "meltdown" while helping out at a stable for horses.

The trial heard the rape victim was assaulted at a house in Livingston while she was asleep and and after she awoke.

The court was also told one girl was abused by him at the age of 12 in 2005.

Another girl was molested by Lingard from the age of 12 and also subjected to a sex act. These offences occurred from 2006.

Defence counsel Shelagh McCall KC said Lingard continued to deny committing the offences, but added: "He accepts a significant custodial sentence is the inevitable outcome of his conviction."

She said: "He is a 38-year-old first offender. He is married with an infant son."

The defence counsel said 29 character references were written on his behalf by extended family, friends and colleagues which were supportive of him.

Asked about his sexsomnia defence, he said he had a clear memory of a discussion with a woman in which she complained about him waking her in a sexual way.

Lingard had denied the charges and maintained he had never had non-consensual sex.

Sexsomnia is a type of sleep disorder where people engage in sexual behaviour when asleep.

Lingard was earlier placed on the sex offenders register.