A YOUNG mum who was raped at home while her children slept just yards away has told how the attack “ruined” her life.

The woman, who is in her 20s, spiralled into drug abuse after being targeted by sex beast Derek Kennedy.

Former chef Kennedy denied the crime but was found guilty after a trial at the High Court in Glasgow and was sentenced last week.

His victim, who has asked to remain anonymous, told how she began taking street Valium after the sickening attack on May 13, 2019.

She said: “You do see some folk getting away with it, so at least he’s getting what he deserves. I was absolutely petrified during the trial – I just wanted out. It was horrible.

“He ruined my life, he really did. I ended up in a bad way and started taking drugs and then my mum had to have my weans and that’s not me. Things are a lot different now but it was horrible.

“It was Valium that I was taking, the street Valium, it’s disgusting.

“I had to be in the women’s hostel but I’ve eventually settled now. If I didn’t have my weans, I do not think I would be alright.

“It happened in 2019 then, after the trial, I had to wait for the verdict. It was horrid, I just wanted it all done with.

“At first he hadn’t been remanded, he was just left to roam for two years. He never once got the jail until he was found guilty, it was terrible.”

Kennedy, formerly of Barrhead and most recently of Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire, attacked the woman at her home in Ardrossan, Ayrshire.

As well as being jailed, he has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.

Sentencing 25-year-old Kennedy, judge Lord Sandison told him: “You were convicted of raping the woman...in her own home while her children were there.

“Your offence is a serious one, aggravated that it happened while you were on bail.”

Jurors heard how the woman broke down during a 999 call after the attack.

Describing how she had protested to Kennedy as he raped her, she recalled being unsure if he thought she was “kidding” at the time.

The woman added in the police call: “He did not act as if he was doing anything wrong.”

The mum initially thought she may have “exaggerated” what happened until a friend insisted “no means no.”

Two years after the attack took place, the victim has told how her loved ones were her lifeline while she waited for Kennedy to face justice.

“My family and friends have been amazing,” she said. “I’ve also had a lot of support from Women’s Aid and Rape Crisis Scotland. I was involved with social work too – they’ve all been really good.”