A builder convicted of raping and assaulting two women, one in Fife, has been jailed for seven years.
James Gilliard, 35, of Craigton Avenue, Inverness was found guilty of of rape, assault and breach of the peace.
Gilliard, who has previous convictions, had spent a week denying allegations that he abused his female victims, who cannot be identified for legal reasons,.
Judge Lady Carmichael told the court that she had no other option but to send him to prison.
She said: “I have formed the view that you present a risk of serious harm to women with whom you form intimate relationships. You take little responsibility for that.”
Last month, the court heard how Gilliard raped a 31-year-old woman at an address in Kirkcaldy on an occasion between March and June 2005.
Before sexually assaulting the female, Gilliard had physically assaulted her by throwing her down a flight of stairs.
He locked the woman in a cupboard and detained her there against her will.
The court also heard how on an occasion between January 1 2010 and February 28 2010, Gilliard raped his second female victim at an address in Inverness.
He had previously physically assaulted her by repeatedly punching, slapping, kicking and striking her on the head and body.
The court also heard that on May 15 2015, at an address in Inverness, Gilliard committed a breach of the peace by shouting, swearing at a woman.
Gilliard did not give evidence during proceedings.
Following conviction, it emerged that Gilliard had previous convictions for assault and breach of the peace.
Lady Carmichael also ordered Gilliard to be supervised by the authorities for two years following his release from jail.
