Exclusive: Rapist who targeted teen's birthday party is back in jail

Jun 29 2008 By Jim Lawson

A FREED rapist who vowed to assault more women has been caged again after targeting a teenager's birthday party.

David Penman, 33, called at the bash claiming the girl's dog had escaped - despite the fact the serial sex attacker is banned from approaching women.

The teen's furious mum believes the pervert deliberately released the pet so he had an excuse to approach her daughter.

Christine Allsopp, 40 - who also has twin girls aged 12 and a daughter of 11 - had no idea about neighbour Penman's violent past.

He had lived across the road from the family in George Street, Nairn, for a year.

Christine said: "He came to my door and asked my daughter if our dog Harry had run away.

"She had the sense to shut the door in his face and went to check the dog was tied up because he had never got off before.

"He was away. At that time my friend pulled up outside our house and talked to Penman.

"He said he had seen the dog running down the street. My friend took my daughter to the police station and the dog was there.

"But I cannot help thinking Penman released it.

"Right from the start I had my suspicions about him - something wasn't right.

"My daughter told the police that a neighbour had said the dog was missing.

"The police arrived at my door three days later and said that by coming to my door he had broken his release conditions.

"They said he had a very awkward life but was not a paedophile.

"It's terrible a man like that is allowed to live in a street like this - there are five females in my home."

Penman was arrested following the incident on May 19 for allegedly breaching a sexual offenders' prevention order which banned from approaching women.

It was issued following his early release from jail in June 2006.

Before being freed from Peterhead prison, Penman told fellow cons he intended to rape five women he knew in Inverness.

He appeared in private at Inverness Sheriff Court under the name David Penman Bruce, having swapped his middle and surnames.

He is charged with contravening Section 113 (1) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

Penman made no plea or declaration, was committed for further examination and remanded in custody.

His release licence has since been revoked and he has been recalled to custody to serve the remainder of his 10-year sentence.

Penman was caged in February 2000 after admitting raping a 19-year-old student in an Inverness hostel.

He also admitted that five months previously he entered the home of a 34-year-old disabled neighbour and threatened to kill her, then sexually assaulted her with intent to rape.

Last night, a legal source said: "He will have to serve out the rest of his 10-year sentence, which will carry on through to February 2010."

Inverness procurator fiscal Gary Aitken confirmed Penman had appeared in private at the city's sheriff court.

He added: "The case is still being investigated. His licence has been revoked."

Northern Constabulary refused to comment or discuss if Penman was under their supervision.