A vile Scots rapist who dragged a 12-year-old lady into the again of a van earlier than raping her at knifepoint is lastly behind bars. Joseph Lowther from Burntisland, Fife, was sentenced to 12 years on the Excessive Courtroom in Edinburgh on Friday after being discovered responsible following a string of horrific intercourse offences.
The 42-year-old, who raped two ladies and two girls, additionally subjected one other girl to a critical sexual assault whereas she was asleep and incapable of giving consent. The sicko, who legally modified his title to Lord Lowther, went on trial final month with the court docket instructed that his crimes dated again to late 2000, when he dragged a 12-year-old right into a van and raped her at knifepoint.
Round 18 years after this, he repeatedly raped and assaulted a 10-year-old lady after luring her to his van and to secluded woodland areas. He attacked victims at numerous Fife areas and at a caravan web site in Moray.
Fraser Gibson of the Crown Workplace and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) stated: “Lord Joseph Lowther was a hazard to girls and ladies for a few years. His victims had been usually too terrified of him to report their horrifying experiences and felt they needed to maintain it secret.
“However justice has caught up with this man. The ladies he brutalised deserve our thanks and commendation for his or her braveness in talking out.
“They allowed the professional prosecutors at COPFS to make sure Lowther confronted the implications of his heinous behaviour. I'd encourage all victims of comparable offending, irrespective of how way back it might have occurred, to come back ahead, report it and search assist.”
DC Kelly Clements, of the Youngster Abuse Investigation Unit for Police Scotland, added: "The survivors of Lowther’s horrific sexual abuse confirmed nice braveness in coming ahead to police. Finally, it was their important info that has led to his conviction. He'll now face justice for the offences he has dedicated.
“All studies of sexual assault, whatever the passage of time, shall be totally investigated by Police Scotland and victims shall be supported all through. Do you have to want to report a sexual crime to Police Scotland, then please achieve this by way of 101, or make an nameless report back to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."
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