Man jailed for rapes and assaults over 13 years

A man who was sexually and physically violent to women over a 13-year period has been jailed for 10 years.

John McNab, 54, raped two victims at addresses in Fife and ripped hair from the head of a 74-year-old who he threatened to kill.

McNab had denied a series of charges at his earlier trial but was found guilty of 10 offences - three of rape, four of assault, one of breach of the peace and two of threatening or abusive behaviour - by unanimous verdicts.

His offending began in December 2006 when he attacked and raped a woman at a house in Cowdenbeath.

During the attack he pushed her against a door and wall and pulled down her lower clothing.

The court heard that by February 2008 he had subjected a second woman to threats, intimidation, violence and repeated rapes at properties in Rosyth and Aberdour.

McNab shouted and swore at her, threatened to kill her and to inflict violence on members of her family. She was punched on the head and struck by a vase.

He also raped the woman when she was asleep and incapable of consenting and indecently assaulted and raped her on other occasions.

McNab also shouted and swore at a 13-year-old girl, threatened her with violence and threw cushions at her at an address in Aberdour in 2011.

He carried out a final attack in May 2019 when he assaulted the 74-year-old woman at a house in Cowdenbeath.

He threatened her with violence, threatened to kill her and disconnected a phone to stop her calling for help.

McNab repeatedly punched her on the head and body and grabbed and pulled her by the hair, ripping some of it from her head.

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Judge Fiona Tait told him: "These sexual and violent offences are of considerable gravity. They have had a substantial impact on each of the complainers."

She said each of the victims who gave evidence against McNab at his earlier trial were to be commended.

She said victim impact statements provided by two of them spoke of the effects of his behaviour on them, including them experiencing nightmares and anxiety.

She acknowledged that McNab had no record of sexual offending but said he did have previous convictions for assault.

The judge ordered that he should be placed under supervision for a further three years in the community when he will be under licence and can be returned to prison if he breaches its conditions.

Judge Tait also made non-harassment orders banning McNab from contacting, or attempting to contact, victims for 25 years and he was placed on the sex offenders' register for an indefinite period.

The court heard that McNab continued to deny the offences but recognised that only a significant custodial sentence was appropriate.

Defence solicitor advocate Graeme Brown said his client had a difficult upbringing and, according to a social worker who prepared a background report on him, appeared to be a loner.