A MAN who attempted to rape a schoolgirl after buying alcohol for a group of underage drinkers has been remanded in custody to await sentencing.
Ruslanas Kukanauza attacked the 14-year-old girl after buying drink for her and a group of friends in Haddington.
The High Court in Edinburgh heard he tried to rape the schoolgirl after taking the youngsters to a flat on Hardgate where he gave the schoolgirl gin to drink.
Lithuanian Kukanauza, 25, of Dobsons Walk, Haddington, denied a string of sexual offence charges but was found guilty during a trial of attempting to rape the girl and sexually assaulting three other girls in the town in 2013.
The court heard the rape attempt happened that year.
His victim, now 17, told advocate depute Jo McDonald that she had and her friends would meet up to go drinking and ask others to buy alcohol for them.
She said she was not sure of the age of Kukanauza, saying he told them he was 19, then 21 and then 24.
On the day of the attack, she told her mother she was going to the gym and was given money but instead met friends.
Kukanauza came down the street and one of the girl's friends said he would buy them alcohol as he had done it before.
She said she contributed £20 and he came back with a bag containing lager, cider and gin.
She said: “He sat with us for a bit and then we got invited up to his flat.”
The girl said they later left as Kukanauza said he was going to the pub but were invited to return later and stay.
She and others were lying on a bed and Kukanauza joined them.
She said she fell asleep but woke up with her body “shaking”.
The girl said: “I didn’t have any pants on. They were just pulled down,” adding she had not consented because “I was sleeping”.
She said as soon as she realised what was going on she stood up before leaving the flat
Michael O’Grady QC said: “It goes without saying that the crime of attempted rape is always a cowardly and serious offence.”
The judge told Kukanauza: “It is apparent to me from the circumstances of this case that you are inclined to prey on young women as a matter of course.”
Sentence was deferred on Kukanauza until next month for the preparation of a background report and he was remanded in custody.
Kukanauza was also placed on the sex offenders’ register.