Man jailed for 8 years for raping and abusing two women

A man who raped and physically abused two women was jailed for eight years. Steven Preston, 25, was convicted of committing the offences over a four-year-period from June 2011 until November 2015 in Paisley, Johnstone, Howwood, Renfrew, Bearsden and Dalmuir.

Social workers have assessed him as a danger to women and yesterday at the High Court in Glasgow he was ordered to be monitored in the community for two years after his release from jail.

Judge Lord Clark told Preston: “You have been convicted of assaulting one woman and subjecting her to sexual assault and rape. You did the same to another woman. These offences took place over a number of years.

“One victim says in her victim impact statement this has had a deep and lasting effect on her, as it must have had on the other woman.

“You are assessed as a high risk of causing harm to any woman with whom you have a relationship.”

Lord Clark added: “The court's must seek to deter you and other from violently and sexually assaulting women.”

Defence advocate Donna Armstrong said: “He is the father of three children, but has no relationship with them.

“He had a turbulent childhood and says as a child he was told his mother was dead, then when he was 16 he was told she was alive.

“He has anger management issues, but wants to address his problems. He now accepts responsibility for these offences and demonstrates insight into the suffering of his victims.”

Preston was convicted after trial of assaulting one of the woman while she was pregnant by threatening violence to her, pushing and pulling her, throwing her to the ground, punching her on the body and slapping her on the face. The assaults took place at houses in Johnstone, Howwod and Bearsden.

He also raped the woman on various occasions between June 2011 and August 2012. at a house in Howwod and a house in Bearsden.

His other victim was raped at a flat in Renfrew and a house in Dalmuir. These offences took place between July 2012 and November 2015.

At addresses in Paisley, Johnstone and Renfrew he called her derogatory names, repeatedly punched her, slapped her on the body and on one occasion threw a bottle at her.

Preston, who is a prisoner in Low Moss, Bishopbriggs, showed no emotion as he was led away to begin his sentence.

Police have welcomed the sentence. Detective Inspector Steven McMillan from the Police Scotland Domestic Abuse Task Force (East) said, "Preston was found guilty of a number of charges including rape and sexual and physical assaults. He carried out a campaign of violence on two of his partners over a period of four and a half years which will have no doubt left them affected by the experience for the rest of their lives.

"I must thank these women for having the strength to come forward and report the years of abuse that they have endured and the courage they've shown throughout the investigation.

“I hope that today’s outcome gives the women some sort of closure and sends a clear message to anyone who thinks it’s acceptable to treat anyone in this way.

“Police Scotland is committed to tackling domestic abuse and no one should ever feel they are alone or in a position of fear. I would encourage anyone to report domestic abuse in any form as all reports will be thoroughly investigated and we will continue to work with partner agencies to ensure victims of domestic abuse are supported and to ensure their safety and wellbeing.''