Police ScotlandA man who filmed himself raping a young girl has been jailed for 12 years.
Matthew James also rigged up hidden cameras to spy on the child during the grooming and abuse.
A woman also suffered repeated physical and sexual violence at the 47-year-old’s hands.
On Thursday, James was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow.
He had been due to stand trial, but instead pled guilty to a total of 12 charges including raping both victims.
The crimes occurred in a number of locations including Gourock in Inverclyde between 2015 and 2022.
James, of Fort William in the Highlands, raped the child which also involved him taking photos and making video recordings of attacks.
He further abused her while she was asleep.
The court heard James even concealed cameras in rooms which captured the girl as she was getting dressed.
The woman was the victim of a similar ordeal.
She was raped and preyed upon while she slept.
Judge David Young KC said a background assessment had concluded James was a “dangerous individual” who continued to pose a risk to others.
He told James: “Both victims have lodged impact statements – it is plain your actions had an effect on their lives which can be described as devastating.
“The girl spoke of closing down, feeling helpless and hopeless. The ability to form relationships has been fractured.
“The woman has had her life torn apart.
“You accept the offences against the child, but are not able to explain the behaviour.
“You report that she never said ‘no’, but this comment about a child raises concerns in itself.
“Although you have pled guilty, you say the behaviour against the woman was consensual.”
James was further put on the sex offenders list. He has also been banned from approaching or contacting the victims – both for an indefinite period.
He will also be supervised for a further four years on his release.
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