A rapist who continues to maintain his innocence was jailed for five years after repeatedly attacking the same woman in Fife.
Robert Findlay, 33, perpetrated some of his abuse on the victim when she was asleep and incapable of giving consent to sex.
A judge told Findlay the three charges he was earlier convicted of “cumulatively represent a serious and aggravated course of conduct involving penetrative sexual abuse”.
Still maintains innocence
Findlay, formerly of Keirs Brae, Cardenden, carried out the sex attacks and rapes at an address in a Fife town between 2014 and 2020.
He had earlier denied the offences during a trial at the High Court in Lanark but was found guilty of three charges of rape.
Defence solicitor Gordon Martin said: “He still maintains his innocence.
“He is stuck with the finding of the jury and he is stuck with the conviction.”
He said Findlay was a man who has contributed to society and would have been running his own business but for the trial proceedings.
He said he continued to have support from family and friends.
“He has no convictions and no other cases to come before this court or any other court,” said Mr Martin.
Significant re-offending risk
The trial judge, Lord Weir, told Findlay: “There is no alternative to a custodial sentence.”
Lord Weir said he noted while Findlay was a first offender, a social worker who prepared a background report on him, assessed him as posing a significant risk of reoffending.
The judge ordered Findlay should be under supervision for a further three-year period after his release and told him if he failed to comply with conditions of his licence during that time it may be revoked and he may be returned to prison.
Finlay was told he will be on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.
Detective Sergeant Graeme McLaren of Police Scotland said: “Robert Findlay took advantage of his victim over a number of years and he will now face the consequences of his despicable actions in prison.
“His victim was incredibly brave to come forward and report Findlay, then give evidence in court.
“Our thoughts remain with her and I hope that today’s sentencing will give her some comfort and help her move forward.”
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