Rapist jailed after committing repeated sex attacks on the same woman

Robert Finlay, 33, perpetrated some of his abuse on the victim when she was asleep and incapable of giving consent to sex.

A judge told Finlay at the High Court in Edinburgh that the three charges he was convicted of earlier "cumulatively represent a serious and aggravated course of conduct involving penetrative sexual abuse".

Finlay, 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 Finlay was a man who had 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.

The trial judge, Lord Weir, told Finlay: "There is no alternative to a custodial sentence."

Lord Weir said that he noted that while Finlay was a first offender, a social worker, who prepared a background report on him, assessed him as posing a significant risk of re-offending.

The judge ordered that Finlay should be under supervision for a further three-year period and told him that 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 that he would be on the sex offenders' register indefinitely following his sentencing.

Commenting on the sentencing, 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.

“We remain committed to supporting victims of sexual crimes and thoroughly investigating those responsible by bringing them to justice, no matter how much time has passed. I would urge people to come forward to police and report it. They can be assured of being fully supported by officers and partner agencies.”