Serial sex offender who attacked first victim aged 15 dies in Edinburgh prison

A sexual predator who raped a young woman after encouraging her to smoke cannabis has died in prison.

Kieran Beck carried out a campaign of abuse against female victims in the Scottish Borders over a seven-year period from the age of 15.

Beck, formerly of Hawick, had denied a series of offences but was found guilty of nine charges, including rape, sexual assault, physical assault and abusive behaviour involving three victims on June 23, 2023.

He was jailed for seven years at the High Court in Edinburgh in 2023.

Beck raped one woman at his former home while he was still a teenager and subjected a second woman to sexual assault while she was sleeping.

A third victim was also subjected to attacks by Beck when she was punched, kicked, put in a headlock and forced to the ground.

At the time, Beck was told that he would be placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.

He died behind bars at HMP Edinburgh aged 27 on Thursday.

The incident has been reported to the Procurator Fiscal, and a Fatal Accident Inquiry is to be held.

A Scottish Prison Service spokesperson said: “Every death, whether in prison custody or in our communities, is a tragedy for all those who knew and supported the individual.

“Following the death of someone in our care, Police Scotland are advised, and the matter reported to the Procurator Fiscal. Fatal Accident Inquiries are held in due course.”