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North-east rapist could be facing tough sentence

High Court in Aberdeen
High Court in Aberdeen

A north-east man who raped and sexually assaulted multiple women was yesterday branded a “sexual predator” and told he could be monitored for the rest of his life.

Brian Gillies was convicted of crimes against four women over a near 30-year period, including the rape of two of his terrified victims.

The 60-year-old was found guilty of 12 offences, including rape and assault, following a jury trial at the High Court in Aberdeen earlier this year.

The offences were committed between 1989 and 2017 across the north-east of the country.

He was due to be sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow yesterday, but Lord Kinclaven adjourned the case again for a full risk assessment to be carried out on the sex attacker.

This could lead to Gillies eventually being hit with a strict Order for Lifelong Restriction (OLR).

He was remanded in custody ahead of a return to the dock in December when he is expected to be jailed.

Gillies, latterly of Skene Street in Peterhead, had denied the offences during his trial.

But prosecutor Jim Keegan QC said Gillies was someone who used “fear, violence and force” on women to get his way.

He told jurors: “When you look at the evidence, you are left with a picture of a bullying sexual predator that has no regard for the feelings, rights or integrity of his victims.”

Gillies’ lawyer David Moggach yesterday said an OLR was “not necessary” and that an extended sentence – involving supervision on his release – was appropriate.

He claimed imposing the suggestion of the strict order was “perhaps over cautious” adding the rapist was not a man who “kept in good health”.

Lord Kinclaven said he would call for the risk assessment before finally passing sentence.