Rapist who left three women with 'continuing trauma' after sex attacks jailed

A rapist who continually “prioritised his own sexual gratification” over the well-being of his three victims has been jailed for ten years.

Liam Scott, 28, preyed on three women, who cannot be named for legal reasons, between 2015 and 2019.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard how Scott’s abuse took place at locations in Galashiels in the Scottish Borders.

A jury heard evidence earlier in the year about how Scott, of Walkerburn, also in the Borders, demanded one of his victims role-play as a schoolgirl in the moments before raping her.

He also committed another serious sexual assault on another victim after he repeatedly asked her for sex.

Scott, who denied any wrongdoing, was brought to justice after police learned about his activities.

Detectives launched an investigation and gathered enough evidence to bring him to court.

Jurors convicted him on five charges of rape after a trial which was held in Edinburgh earlier this year.

Sentence was deferred for the court to obtain reports and the case called again on Wednesday in the Scottish capital.

Passing sentence, judge Lord Harrower told Scott he needed to go to prison for his crimes.

Telling Scott of how he would also be supervised by the authorities for three years following his release from custody, Lord Harrower said: “I will not repeat in these brief sentencing remarks, the details of the sexual abuse that you inflicted.

“It’s enough to highlight certain common themes. 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 well-being 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.”

At earlier proceedings, the court also heard how Scott repeatedly raped one woman. Some of the attacks took place when she was asleep and unable to consent to what he was doing.

On Wednesday, defence solicitor advocate Iain McSporran KC told the court that his client still maintained he did nothing wrong.

Mr McSporran added: “He has had adverse childhood experiences which must have had an impact on his development.”

Lord Harrower also told Scott that he would be on the Sex Offenders Register for the rest of his life.

He also said he had read statements which were provided to the court by Scott’s victims.

Lord Harrower added: “As for harm, I’ve taken account of the evidence given at trial, as well as the victim impact statements that have been submitted.

“These statements speak to the continuing trauma experienced by your victims, long after their relationship with you ended.”

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