An Aberdeen man has been handed an extended seven-year sentence after being found guilty of “forcing himself” on and raping two women.
Lewis Wallace raped his first victim in Inverurie in 2018 when he was just 17, before raping a second woman 16 months later in Banchory.
Wallace, now 21, also assaulted and sexually penetrated his first victim without consent on a separate occasion in a vehicle in Inverurie.
He had denied the offences, but a jury found him guilty of three charges by a majority verdict following a trial, and Wallace had now appeared at the High Court in Aberdeen to be sentenced.
Defence counsel Gareth Jones, referring to a court-ordered social work report, said his client’s position was one of “continuing denial in relation to the charges he was convicted of”.
Mr Jones went on: “The author of the report comments he shows a lack of insight.
Behaviour caused ‘great harm and distress’
“In his credit, in my submission, while he continues to argue his innocence, he is now accepting the jury’s verdict.
“He also understands a custodial sentence is inevitable.
“I’d invite your lordship to attach weight to the fact Mr Wallace was only 17 at the time of the first two charges. He had only just turned 19 in relation to the remaining charge.
“In my submission, his age is a significant factor to take into account.”
Mr Jones also highlighted Wallace’s limited record and the fact he had never served a custodial sentence before.
Quoting part of the social work report, Judge Graham Buchanan said the offences would “likely lead to long-term psychological harm” for the women.
Addressing Wallace directly, he said: “I take into account all that has been said on your behalf.
“I’m also required to have regard to the fact that at the time of your offending you were a teenager and you are still a very young man.
‘Significant risk of causing serious harm to members of the public’
“That means the sentence which I’m about to impose is less severe than it would have been if you had been a mature adult.
“The offences of which you were convicted are serious and thoroughly unpleasant.
“You forced yourself upon your victims for the purposes of satisfying your own sexual desires without regard or respect for their wishes or feelings.
“It is inevitable your behaviour will have caused them great harm and distress.
“I’m in no doubt the offences you committed are of seriousness the only appropriate disposal is one which includes a significant period of imprisonment. I’m also satisfied the criteria for the imposition of an extended sentence are met.”
The judge added that Wallace posed a “significant risk of causing serious harm to members of the public”.
He handed Wallace, of Charleston Road North, Cove, an extended seven-year sentence, consisting of five years in custody and a further two under supervision on his release.
He also made Wallace subject to the notification requirements of the Sexual Offences Act for an indefinite period.
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