Man sexually abused child in bath and raped woman as she slept

A man who sexually abused a young girl in the bath and raped a woman as she slept has been jailed for six years.

Lewis Smith, 27, targeted the child, who cannot be named for legal reasons, at locations in Arbroath and Montrose in Angus between 2016 and 2019.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard how Smith, of Inverkeilor, Angus, subjected his first victim to a series of assaults which saw him bite her nose and strangle her.

He also forced her to open her mouth before spitting in it and making her swallow his saliva in one of the attacks.

Jurors also heard how he also forced food into her mouth and punched her on body before forcing her to eat human waste.

On Friday, judge Lady Poole told the first offender that she had no other option but to send him to jail.

Ordering him to be supervised by the authorities for three years following his release from custody, she said she had read victim impact statements describing the impact that Smith’s actions had the women he targeted.

She said: “You were convicted following trial of actions which can only be described as nauseating.

“I have read the victim impact statements which have been placed before the court and I have read of the suffering experienced by the complainers in this acts and the after effects of your actions.

“You have caused the complainers in this case considerable physical and psychological harm.

“You also continue to refuse to accept responsibility for your actions.

“Our society will not tolerate such abusive behaviour. No other method than the imposition of a custodial sentence is appropriate.”

Smith was found guilty last month of rape, sexual and physical assault and breach of the peace charges following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh.

Sentence had been deferred for the court to obtain reports on his character.

During proceedings, the court heard how Smith, a self-employed joiner, raped a woman who was intoxicated and was asleep in June 2019.

He attacked her a second time while she pretended to be sleeping before removing her lower clothing and sexually assaulting her on a third occasion.

A jury also found him guilty of engaging in a course of conduct which was likely to cause a woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, fear or alarm.

He shouted, swore, made derogatory remarks about her appearance, threatened her with violence and denied her access to money.

On a separate occasion, he grabbed her by her clothing and pushed her, all to her injury.

The horrific offences took place at various addresses in the Arbroath and Montrose areas between June 2016 and October 2019.

He was finally brought to justice after police became aware of his activities.

Smith denied any wrongdoing. However, he was found guilty following trial.

On Friday, defence advocate Gary Allan QC told Lady Poole that his client still maintained his innocence.

Mr Allan added: “He is a man who previously had never came to the attention of the police – it is his first offence.

“He has worked throughout his life which I submit is positive. He still continues to have the support of his family.

“He continues to maintain his position from trial.”

Lady Poole also placed Smith on the sex offenders’ register for an indefinite period.