iStockA rapist who claimed he was too heavy to carry out a sex attack has been jailed for seven and a half years.
Lee Mulholland was sentenced having earlier been convicted of preying on two women.
Mulholland – who weighs a reported 30 stone – claimed if he had got on top of one of the victims his size would have left her unable to breathe.
But, jurors found the 38-year-old, of Armadale, West Lothian, guilty of raping her and the other woman.
He was further convicted of controlling and abusive behaviour against one.
The crimes occurred between 2019 and 2022 in West Lothian.
Mulholland – who was being prosecuted for offences against women at the time of these attacks – was jailed at the High Court in Glasgow.
Judge William Gallacher also ordered the sex attacker to be monitored for five years on his release due to the danger he poses.
Both women had earlier recalled how they suffered at Mulholland’s hands during a trial in Livingston.
He was physically violent, called them derogatory names and flew into jealous rages.
Some of the acts were captured on a Ring doorbell camera which he had installed to track one woman.
He forced a victim to borrow cash from relatives to pay for his Ford Focus ST car after he lost his job.
Mulholland was also violent towards a pet dog by grabbing its tail and standing on the animal’s paws.
Mulholland gave evidence during the trial and claimed any sexual contact was consensual.
In his closing speech, his KC Ian Duguid put to jurors: “Is it physically possible for a 30-stone man to get on top of a woman who is only five foot, two inches tall?
“Her description was that she was traumatised because she could not push him off and could not speak.”
Mr Duguid told the court that Mulholland maintains the support of his mother and partner.
Sentencing, Judge Gallacher told the sex attacker: “I have had the opportunity of considering statements from these victims.
“They eloquently describe the impact of your behaviour on them, both while the offences were committed and also the long term.
“Responsibility for that lies squarely on your shoulders.”
Mulholland – who will be on the sex offenders list indefinitely – was also given with non-harassment orders banning him from contacting either woman.
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