A Dundee businessman found guilty of carrying out a sex attack on a teenage girl after taking her home from a casino has been jailed and placed on the Sex Offenders Register for a decade.
Alexander Forootan preyed upon the drunk girl as she slept in his home.
The 40-year-old denied the allegations but a jury at Dundee Sheriff Court found him guilty of attacking his victim at Thorter Neuk in March 2020.
Company director Forootan, who ran IT firm Elite Contractors, was found with the girl in a state of undress.
She was woken by police officers and said she could not explain why her underwear was on the floor or why her dress had been pushed up.
Assault witness
The court heard the sex attack came to the attention of the authorities after a man, now 24, was also brought back to Forootan’s flat.
He said in a call to police: “I was worried because she was fast asleep and I didn’t want anything to happen to her.
“I got the feeling something was going to.
“I saw the gentleman trying to get it on with her when she was asleep. We were drunk. I left the address but I’m scared for the girl.
“He was drunk too but he didn’t seem as drunk as she was.
“She fell asleep and it seemed as if he tried to take advantage – I saw with my own eyes.
“I just wanted to do the right thing. If I didn’t I would regret it.
“He was touching her leg.
“The girl was unconscious. She was asleep.
“That’s why I’m worried for her.”
Bizarre court scenes
Forootan, now living on High Steet, Clapham, in London, was found guilty of sexually attacking the girl while she slept on March 1 2020.
Sentencing had been repeatedly delayed after Forootan sacked his principal solicitor following his conviction and demanded representation from the Iranian embassy.
It was claimed he refused to engage with social workers tasked with compiling a report on him ahead of sentencing.
Forootan, who had been remanded at HMP Perth since February, initially appeared unrepresented before Sheriff Paul Brown on Tuesday.
In a bizarre exchange, the accused attempted to read out a letter claiming he had been falsely accused of the crime after being a whistleblower against an unnamed “corrupt MP”.
After being rebuked by Sheriff Brown, the case was recalled in order for solicitor Jim Laverty – acting as court duty solicitor for the week – to take instructions.
Mr Laverty said Forootan wanted the case to be disposed of, adding he had a supportive network in London where he could become a “valuable and respected member of the community”.
‘No alternative’ to prison
Sheriff Brown said: “It’s a serious offence but I take into account your relative lack of record and I do note the delay from the allegation to this matter formally being dealt with at trial.
“Because of that, the sentence is lower than what’s available.
“There’s no alternative to me than a custodial sentence.”
Forootan was sentenced to seven months in prison and placed on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.
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