Lord Advocate apology to rape victim whose attacker walked free

But her family say she's been left a prisoner in her home by system

- MARCELLO MEGA

RAPIST Sean Hogg's victim has received an apology from Scotland's top law officer but remains a "prisoner in her own home" because he avoided jail.

A letter said sorry for Crown Office failures to keep her informed and confirmed that bail conditions preventing Hogg approaching her in the run-up to his trial no longer apply.

Despite her solicitor, Aamer Anwar, seeking reassurance from Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC that Hogg cannot approach her, none was given.

Hogg was 17 when he raped his victim when she was 13. He carried out the attacks in Dalkeith Country Park, Midlothian, in 2018.

Hogg, now 21, was found guilty of rape at the High Court in Glasgow earlier this month.

Judge Lord Lake ordered him to carry out 270 hours of unpaid work instead of being jailed as a result of guidelines for sentencing under-25s that were introduced in Scotland last year.