Rapist Sandeep Sandhu who attacked two women during campaign of abuse jailed for 12 years

A rapist who repeatedly sexually assaulted two women during a campaign of abuse against the victims has been jailed for 12 years.

Sandeep Sandhu preyed on the women at addresses in Edinburgh, Whitburn, in West Lothian, and in Ayr as he subjected them to degrading attacks and conduct.

A judge told the rapist at the High Court in Edinburgh: “These are serious crimes committed over a period of two and a half years.”

Judge Thomas Welsh KC said victim impact statements prepared by the women clearly indicated how “devastating” Sandhu’s behaviour was for them.

He told the 35-year-old: “A custodial sentence is inevitable in this case given the gravity of the offending.”

Sandhu, formerly of Whitburn, had denied a series of charges during an earlier trial but was found guilty of five offences of rape, assault with intent to rape, sexual assault and abusive behaviour.

His first victim was subjected to repeated sex attacks between December 2018 and September 2019 at a flat in Edinburgh and an address in West Lothian.

The attacks on the woman culminated with Sandhu raping her on September 27 in 2019.

Sandhu repeatedly raped the second woman between October 2020 and February 2021 after struggling with her and molesting her.

He also subjected her to abusive behaviour between January 2020 and July the following year when he would shout and swear at her, call her vile names, repeatedly punch her on the head and body and strike her on the head with a shoe.

The court heard that Sandhu continued to deny that he committed the offences against the two women.

Defence solicitor advocate Jonathan Campbell said: “He finds himself in custody, aged 35, for the first time in his life.”

The defence lawyer added: “It is clear he will serve a lengthy sentence of imprisonment.”

Sandhu was told that he will be placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely following his sentencing.