Rapist who sexually assaulted two sleeping women jailed for nine years

A rapist who preyed on sleeping women when they were incapable of consenting to sex has been jailed for nine years.

Neil Collins assaulted and raped two victims in attacks that began when both were asleep, but continued after the women woke up at houses in Fife.

The 50-year-old, formerly of Kelty, Fife, had denied raping the women at an earlier trial but was convicted of the crimes, along with further charges of sexual assault and abusive behaviour.

Collins was told by the trial judge that custody was “inevitable” after he was found guilty.

He appeared at the High Court in Edinburgh for sentencing on Tuesday, where judge Lord Scott ordered Collins to remain under supervision for a further year in the community following release from prison.

During that period, he will be on licence and can be returned to jail if he breaches its terms.

Collins attacked and raped his first victim on an occasion between December 2013 and December 2015 and continued with the assault after she woke up.

He went on to offend against a second woman, who was subjected to sexual assaults by him between September 2021 and May the following year, and was raped by him in February 2022.

Collins also acted in a controlling way towards the woman. He monitored her social media, repeatedly concealed his mobile phone and recorded her, repeatedly sent her text messages, drove past her home and stared at her.

Lord Scott told Collins that he would be placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely following his sentencing.

The judge made non harassment orders banning Collins from contacting or attempting to contact victims for an indeterminate period.