Rapist who attacked women while they were asleep or in pain jailed for 10 years

A man has been jailed for 10 years for raping three women, including while one woman was asleep.

Liam Scott, from Walkerburn in the Scottish Borders, was found guilty of five charges of rape between 2015 and 2019.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard how the 28-year-old also used intimidation, aggression and physical violence during the attacks, and that he "took advantage" of women when they were in pain or exhausted.

During sentencing, judge Lord Harrower said Scott "consistently" prioritised his own sexual gratification over any concern for the wellbeing of the women.

Scott, who denied any wrongdoing throughout the trial, was convicted earlier this year.

Lord Harrower told Scott he needed to go to prison for his crimes.

During sentencing he placed Scott on the sex offenders register and said he would also be supervised by the authorities for three years following his release from custody.

Scott was also given an lifelong order requiring him not to harass or contact his victims.

The judge said there were "common" themes in his offending.

Lord Harrower said: "The first is that the abuse was carried out against a background of intimidation and aggressive behaviour, punctuated by acts of physical violence.

"Second, the intimidation that aggression would become worse following your consumption of drink or drugs.

"And third, you consistently prioritised your own sexual gratification over any concern for the wellbeing of these women.

"Whether that involved taking advantage of them, when they were asleep, insisting on sex while they were in pain, or pestering them for sex, when they were exhausted and unable to resist."

Defence solicitor advocate Iain McSporran KC told the court that his client still maintained he did nothing wrong.

"He has had adverse childhood experiences which must have had an impact on his development," he said.

Lord Harrower said he took into account of the evidence given at trial, as well as the victim impact statements that have been submitted.

He said: "These statements speak to the continuing trauma experienced by your victims, long after their relationship with you ended."