Child rapist who 'wrecked victim's life' jailed for 12 years

A sex offender who groomed and raped a girl has been jailed for 12 years.

A judge told Robert Guthrie, 50, that the harm he caused because of his offending was “extreme”.

Lord Harrower said he read victim impact statements provided by the teenager and added: “She has nightmares and flashbacks reliving everything you have done to her.

The judge said at the High Court in Edinburgh that in the most recent statement the victim said Guthrie has wrecked her life.

Lord Harrower told Guthrie in sentencing him: “You took advantage of her vulnerability for your own sexual gratification.”

The judge ordered that Guthrie should be under supervision in the community for a further three years when he will be on licence and can be returned to jail if he breaches its conditions.

Guthrie, formerly of Langholm, in Dumfries and Galloway, was earlier convicted of assaulting and raping the 13-year-old on various occasions between June 2022 and March 2023.

During assaults on the child perpetrated in a Scottish Borders village, he seized her wrist and body, pushed her onto a bed, removed her clothing and molested her.

He was also found guilty of indecent communication with the girl. He sent her sexualised text messages and induced her to send him intimate images.

Guthrie denied the charges during an earlier trial, but was unanimously convicted of both offences by a jury.

He did not give evidence at his trial, but said during an interview with police that sexual activity did not happen. He also said the girl was “cute”.

Advocate depute Michael Macintosh said there had been a deliberate, calculated and persistent effort by Guthrie to groom and manipulate the child for his own sexual gratification.

Following the guilty verdicts against Guthrie, Lord Harrower told him: “These were truly appalling crimes.”

Defence counsel Jonathan Campbell said Guthrie, who previously served in the armed forces, did not accept that he committed the offences.

Guthrie was placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely and the judge made a non harassment order banning him from contacting or attempting to contact the victim.