Man convicted of repeatedly raping and sexually assaulting woman in Scottish Borders is jailed
Last updated 11th Aug 2023
A 31-year-old man convicted of repeatedly raping and sexually assaulting a woman in the Scottish Borders has today (Friday) been jailed for eight years.
The High Court in Edinburgh heard Lewis Barrie, from Newtown St Boswells, also threw a dog at her while she was pregnant - hitting her in the stomach - during a "serious and violent course of conduct" over a period "in excess of three years", dating back to 2016.
In addition to the custodial sentence, Barrie will also serve two years on licence in the community on his release, and has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.
The court heard some of the rapes were committed while the woman was sleeping and incapable of giving or withholding her consent, and after she had woken.
Barrie also behaved in a threatening or abusive manner towards the woman - by making derogatory, violent and inappropriate comments concerning her and her family; monitoring her communications and her movements.
He was convicted of a total of seven charges, including making derogatory comments towards a child, seizing hold of his neck and clothing, lifting him, and threatening to throw him down a flight of stairs.
In the charge relating to the assault with the dog, it was stated Barrie also bent the woman's fingers and thumbs backwards, seized her arm and pushed her against a door - all to her severe injury.
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The court heard the first offender - who appeared from custody via a video link - continues to deny his involvement in anything beyond "low-level arguments", and is deemed a medium-risk of reoffending.
It received 17 character references from family, friends and others - some of whom watched the sentencing from the public gallery - which were said to show he can be a "kind, caring and considerate human being".
But a victim impact statement revealed Barrie's behaviour has had a "significant impact" on the complainer who, the court heard, struggles to fall asleep because of what he used to do to her.
And Judge Lord Scott said only a custodial sentence would be appropriate. Sentence was backdated to June when he was remanded.
Barrie was also made the subject of a non-harassment order which prevents him from attempting to approach or contact his victims.
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