A PARKHALL predator who carried out sex attacks on two women has been jailed.

Robert Phillips claimed to be drunk when he assaulted the females at a property in Drumry on August 9 last year.

The 37-year-old previously pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting the women and Phillips, of Albert Road, appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court last week for sentencing.

His counsel, advocate Lorraine Glancy, told the court her client acknowledged that a jail term was likely but added that the criminal justice social work report was in “extremely favourable terms” towards Phillips.

Ms Glancy explained that, around the time of the offence, Phillips had split with his partner. She said: “At that time, Mr Phillips engaged in excessive use of alcohol, although it appears that has been a matter which has been taking place over a number of years.

“His life was fairly unproblematic until the death of his father eight years ago, which appears to have affected him quite badly. He sought no assistance.” The advocate said that Phillips understood his alcohol consumption was no excuse for his actions, but added that he had since stopped drinking alcohol completely.

His actions on the evening in question, Ms Glancy said, were a cause of “deep shame”.

She continued: “It does appear to be behaviour that, in the cold light of day, he would not dream to engage in.

“He has never been involved in any previous trouble with the police and has always been in full-time employment since leaving school, which makes his behaviour on the night in question all the more out of character.

“That in no way diminishes the seriousness of his behaviour that night.” Sheriff William Gallacher told Phillips he acknowledged he may have been under the influence at the time of the offence but said it did not diminish Phillips’ responsibility for the attacks on the women in any way.

He continued: “They, having been young women who were in an environment where they had enjoyed an evening of entertainment and had been affected by alcohol, had put themselves where they felt they were secure — and were abused by you.

“You abused one individual. You then abused a second individual to the extent she left and went to her mother’s because she was so distressed.

“You have no recollection of that night. It was clear that you knew what you were doing when someone confronted you at the time.” Sheriff Gallacher jailed Phillips for a total of one year and placed him on the sex offenders register for 10 years.