Man pulled woman into secluded area in Aberdeen then raped her

A man who pulled a young woman into a secluded area before subjecting her to a rape ordeal has been jailed for six years.

Caitano Azavedo, 40, grabbed his victim by the hand before sexually assaulting her during the attack in Aberdeen.

Portuguese national Azavedo had denied assaulting and raping the woman at King Street in the city and at a field in Aberdeen Sports Village on October 22, 2023, during a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh.

A jury found him guilty of the crime during which he seized her hand, pulled her to a quiet area, molested her and raped her.

The judge told Azavedo that the rape offence was “extremely grave” and involved “an attack and the rape of a young woman simply going about her evening in Aberdeen”.

Azavedo was sentenced to six years in prison.

Detective inspector Mark Lambley said: “Azavedo is a sexual predator who now faces the consequences of his depraved actions. This was a horrifying attack on a young woman, and I hope this sentence brings her some sense of closure.

“I would urge anyone who has been a victim of physical or sexual abuse to report it to us, regardless of when it happened. All reports are thoroughly investigated, and we have specially trained officers and partner agencies who will support you throughout.”