Stun-gun sex attacker zapped victim five times

A WOMAN was shot five times with a high-powered stun gun during an assault by a man who tried to pull down her trousers in a terrifying ordeal.

John Dowie, 54, repeatedly fired an electric charge from the weapon at the woman in his Midlothian home.

He later told a nurse at a psychiatric unit that he "might have killed someone today", the court was told.

The High Court in Edinburgh yesterday heard that the victim, a 42-year-old, called at Dowie's home in Dalum Loan, Loanhead on November 5 last year after he returned from a holiday to America.

Advocate depute Adrian Cottam said that as she was inspecting some baby fish in a tank in his living room, she heard a buzzing sound and felt a sudden burning pain in her back. He said: "She turned her head and observed the accused holding his arm outstretched and in his hand was a stun gun."

The woman asked what he was doing, but Dowie did not reply.

He then zapped her on the back of the leg and she pleaded with him to stop.

First offender Dowie put a hand over her nose and mouth and discharged the weapon to her stomach. The woman was struggling with her attacker but ended up on her back.

Mr Cottam said: "She was screaming as the accused used the stun gun a further three times on her back and the top of her thigh. She could feel the hot and jaggy pain of the Taser."

The court heard Dowie began unbuckling her trouser belt and pulled down the zip of her trousers while making sexual comments to her.

The woman managed to pull herself on to a couch and asked to go.

But married Dowie lunged at her again and began kissing her before calming down. After talking she again asked if she could leave.

He agreed but grabbed her again and after a brief struggle she broke free and ran out to her car.

Dowie, who has suffered from depression, later told a nurse at a psychiatric unit that he "might have killed someone today". The former clerk later told police that he had bought the stun gun in America, where he was told he would not have a problem bringing it into Britain.

He said he was unaware it was a firearm. Police found the weapon discarded in bushes near Dowie's home.

It was found to be a Chinese-made electronic stun gun marked 1500K volt.

Dowie, who originally faced a charge of attempted rape, admitted a reduced charge of assault when he appeared in court yesterday.

Lord Kinclaven deferred sentence on Dowie, who is in custody, for the preparation of a background report and risk assessment. The judge also put him on the sex offenders' register.