A Fort William man who was jailed last year for having sex with a vulnerable schoolgirl is to appeal his sentence.
Angus Francis, 27, was sent to prison for 18 months at Dumbarton Sheriff Court in November.
His appeal will be heard at a sitting of the High Court this week.
Francis appeared at Oban Sheriff Court last September accused of having sex with the girl when she was 14. At his trial, the court heard how Francis met the girl in an Oban pub in 2012.
During her evidence, the girl, then aged 19, said: “When I was 14, I was going through a really hard time.
“I was being bullied at school. I didn’t have friends my own age. I had two older friends.”
They kept in touch by text before meeting to have sex a few weeks later.
The girl said: “He told me I couldn’t tell anybody because it was our secret.
“He could get into trouble. I knew it was wrong.
“I felt really dirty but he made me feel like I was wanted, that somebody on this planet wanted me.”
They had sex again in 2013 when she was 15.
Francis told the court that the girl had lied to him and told him she was 16.
A jury found the Fort William man guilty of twice having sex with the girl between April 1, 2012, and June 30, 2012, at two properties in Oban, and having sex with her on various occasions between June 30, 2012, and June 29, 2013.
A psychiatric report was called for which found he displayed a narcissistic personality.
Before sentencing Francis, Sheriff William Gallacher said: “It was abundantly plain to me that the young girl was open, or at least susceptible, to abuse because of her vulnerability.
“It may be that she was simply there and open to the abuse. She may have had a different perspective. That does not matter.
“The current legislation exists to protect children and imposes a responsibility on adults.
“It’s plain to me that you were aware of the circumstances of this young girl.”
Francis was sentenced to a total of four-and-a-half years – 18 months of which are to be spent in custody.
He will be on licence for three years after his release.
The appeal will be heard at the High Court in Glasgow on Friday.
