Soldier admits nurse rape attempt

The nurse was assaulted near Woodend Hospital, Aberdeen

A soldier armed with a knife threatened to kill a nurse after carrying out a sex attack near the grounds of an Aberdeen hospital.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard how Martin Smith, 17, attacked his 20-year-old victim at Woodend Hospital.

Smith, who is serving with the Highlanders in Germany, pleaded guilty to assaulting the nurse, with intent to rape her, on 5 January.

He is due to be sentenced in February after background reports are prepared.

The court heard how the victim heard running footsteps behind her before Smith, of Barvas Walk, Aberdeen, jumped on her.

It would appear, at this stage, to be an act which is completely out of character for him David Moggach Defence lawyer

She was pushed to the ground by the teenager, who was holding a knife with a five inch blade. He then put his hand over her mouth to stifle her screams.

The nurse thought she was being robbed and offered him her handbag.

But Smith pressed his knife into her stomach and told her: "Come on, we are going for a little walk. Take my hand."

The court heard how he marched the terrified nurse along the side of a building then ordered: "Take your clothes off."

Advocate depute Angela Grahame, prosecuting, told how the nurse played for time by telling Smith they could be seen by people in Aberdeen's Woodend Hospital or nearby houses.

Secluded area

Smith then grabbed the nurse and led her out of the hospital grounds into Eday Road, heading for a secluded wooded area called The Denburn but known locally as "the burnie".

A nearby resident heard a scream and saw Smith with his victim on a grass verge, trying to pull her towards a hedge. But thinking it was a row between a couple, the woman went back to bed.

When a car approached Smith told the nurse: "Don't try anything. If you scream I will kill you."

But she ignored his threats and Smith fled when she began screaming again.

Ms Grahame said the nurse ran to the driver for help and was taken to hospital.

Two days later police arrested Smith and he told them: "I just wanted to see her naked."

Drunk lager

He also told them that he had drunk at least 15 lagers before pouncing on his victim.

The court heard that the nurse left a restaurant in Aberdeen city centre after a meal with friends and went to catch a bus to the hospital. Smith was also in the bus queue, eying up a girl in front of him.

Another passenger on the bus, a civilian employee with Grampian Police, also said later that she felt "uneasy" because of the way Smith was staring at her.

The court heard that the nurse got off the bus one stop after Smith but saw him walking on the opposite footpath.

She got ahead of him but he struck just as she was entering the hospital grounds.

Advocate David Moggach, defending, said: "It would appear, at this stage, to be an act which is completely out of character for him."