'Risk assessment' to be carried out on Helensburgh rapist
An off-shore worker who carried out a campaign of terror against six lovers is disputing a risk assessment carried out to gauge the danger he poses to women.
An off-shore worker who carried out a campaign of terror against six lovers is disputing a risk assessment carried out to gauge the danger he poses to women.
Ben Slee, 31, from Helensburgh, was convicted at the High Court in Glasgow in August last year of a catalogue of abuse against the women. He raped one of his victims and attempted to rape another.
He is now objecting to the findings of the report compiled by Dr John Marshall and his new defence team led by Neil Murray QC is having a new one prepared by Professor David Cook.
Judge Lord Beckett has agreed to a hearing at the High Court in Dunfermline on June 6.
At this both psychologists are expected to give evidence, along with Slee and his mother.
Lord Beckett told Slee: “This case began as a trial in August last year. There is a possibility of the court making a lifelong restriction order which in effect would be a sentence for the rest of your life.”
The judge said in view of the seriousness of the case it was important to have another report compiled.
He added: “Despite the frustration many may feel at yet another delay it is in the interests of justice for another risk assessment to be carried out.”
Four of the women abused by Slee were the victims of beatings and sex attacks when he flew into jealous rages.
Two other lovers were only physically assaulted. One had the contents of a ice bucket thrown over her in the Grand Central Hotel, Glasgow and another woman was slapped and kicked in a house in Helensburgh.
The offences were committed between 2002 and 2015 at various locations in Helensburgh, Garelochhead, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
During his trial the jury heard that Slee was angered because one of his partners paid more attention to her cancer-stricken sister more attention than him.
Slee also controlled another woman's Facebook account - despite working in the North Sea at the time.
A jury further heard how he laughed as he tried to drown another girlfriend in a bath.
In court, Slee - who once boasted he could pull "model material" - claimed he was the victim and that the women's lies had ruined his life.
But, the jury convicted him of raping one woman and attempting to rape another as well as a catalogue of domestic abuse. Charges of raping two other women were found not proven.