Rapist Faces Long Prison Sentence After Assaulting Highland Woman

A rapist who assaulted 3 women - including one in the Highlands - is facing a long prison sentence.

34 year old James Inglis carried out the attacks over a nine month period in Stornoway, Isle of Lewis and Beauly, Inverness-shire, in 2012.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard how he battered one of his victims so badly that he endangered her life.

He also sexually abused another woman whilst she slept and was unable to give her consent.

The story emerged on Friday following a week-long trial at the High Court in Edinburgh.

Inglis, originally of Stornoway but now of Whitworth, Lancashire, had claimed he hadn't done anything wrong.

But after spending a day deliberating its verdict, the jury concluded there was enough evidence to prove he was a dangerous sexual predator.

Following conviction, Judge Lord Pentland deferred sentence in order for the court to obtain reports about Inglis's character.

Telling the crook that a prison sentence was inevitable, Lord Pentland added: “You have been convicted of a number of serious sexual offences. The most troubling aspect of this case is that it reveals that you have a deplorable attitude towards members of the opposite sex.

“The imposition of a custodial sentence in this case is inevitable. But I must defer sentence so I can obtain a criminal justice social work inquiry report.”

During proceedings, the court heard the circumstances surrounding Inglis' attacks on the women.

None of them can be identified for legal reasons.

He raped his first victim, a 22-year-old woman, at an address in Beauly in March 2012.

The court also heard how Inglis targeted his second victim at an address in Stornoway.

The jury heard how Inglis entered the woman's house uninvited, grabbed her by the neck, prevented her from breathing properly and pushed her against a door.

He then held a knife to her and attempted to remove her clothing. Inglis then pointed a knife at her body before sexually assaulted her.

The 36-year-old woman told the court: “He was trying to get my trousers down. He then grabbed me by my neck.

“He was just squeezing my neck. I couldn't breath. I was getting dizzy. He kicked me in the back.

“I got him off me and he went into my kitchen. He got a knife from the drawer and pointed it at me.”

The woman then told the court how Inglis sexually assaulted her.

Inglis sexually assaulted another 27-year-old woman in December 2012 at another address in Stornoway.

In her closing speech to the jury, prosecution lawyer Lisa Gillespie urged the jury to convict Inglis.

She said the Crown had gathered enough evidence to prove Inglis' guilt.

Ms Gillespie added: “There is no suggestion that they (the victims) came together and made up a story.”

After spending a day deliberating its verdict, the jury returned guilty verdicts.

Ms Gillespie wasn't in court - her place was taken by solicitor advocate Alex Prentice QC.

Mr Prentice told Lord Pentland that Inglis had previous convictions for dishonesty and housebreaking.

Defence advocate Brian McConnachie QC told the court that he would address the court on Inglis' behalf when he is sentenced on September 30 2015 at the High Court in Edinburgh.

Lord Pentland also placed Inglis on the Sex Offenders Register.