Angus army cadet instructor jailed for sexual assault
An Angus army cadet instructor has been jailed for six years after he admitted sexually assaulting a young woman.
The High Court in Glasgow heard Calum Stewart, 42, who was a sergeant at the Army Cadet Force in Carnoustie, first attacked his victim in 2007, when she was 19.
The young woman left the court in tears as the prosecution detailed her abuse, which took place over four years.
Sentencing him, Judge Lady Stacey described his offences as dreadful.
The court heard how Stewart once told the victim that he was no longer having sex with his wife and was "considering elsewhere" to get his kicks.
Prosecutor Shirley McKenna said Stewart became "more controlling" over the victim. He asked if he could take photographs of what he was doing and the young woman agreed, hoping it would end her ordeal.
However, Ms McKenna told the court the abuse continued.
In September last year, Stewart sent her a still image of a sexual assault he carried out on her.
Ms McKenna said Stewart was "threatening" and he had told the victim the photograph would be "left open for others to see".
He also sent a sinister message to the young woman's boyfriend stating: "Break up with her or I will get you if it's the last thing I do."
Stewart was arrested after the victim revealed her ordeal to a relative.
After that, the court was told police discovered about 17,000 images of child abuse that Stewart had stored.
The court also heard the victim had tried to take her own life because of the trauma of what had happened to her.
Matthew Jackson, defending, said: "This man is well aware that there will be no alternative to a custodial sentence."
Stewart is also believed to have since resigned from the cadets. His defence added: "Mr Stewart has no previous convictions. He has a position of responsibility and trust on the Army as a sergeant on a part-time basis."
Judge Lady Stacey told Stewart: "These are dreadful offences. There is very little that can be said about them. I am told you are beginning to understand the damage you have caused."