Rapist sexually assaulted two sleeping women

A rapist has been convicted of sexually assaulting two sleeping women.

Neil Collins carried out assaults on the two women, which began when they were incapable of consenting, as they were asleep.

A judge told him at the High Court in Edinburgh: “A custodial sentence is inevitable for these serious charges.”

Collins, 49, of Kelty, Fife, had denied a series of charges during a trial but was convicted of four offences – two of rape, one of sexual assault and one of abusive behaviour committed between December 2013 and May 2022.

He attacked and raped his first victim on an occasion between December 2013 and December 2015 when she was sleeping, and continued with the assault after she woke up.

The second woman was subjected to penetrative sexual assaults by Collins between September 2021 and May 2022 and raped by him in February 2022.

Collins, who was on bail during his trial, also acted in a controlling way towards the woman during which he searched her home, sent her text messages repeatedly and drove past her address, staring at her and the house.

Following the verdicts, the court heard that Collins has no previous convictions for similar crimes and has never previously served a custodial sentence.

Defence solicitor advocate Gordon Martin KC said: “He has never been in prison before. His record is non-analogous.”

He said: “He is aware custody is inevitable. He has come prepared for that eventuality today.”

The judge, Lord Scott, placed Collins on the sex offenders’ register and remanded him in custody while a background report is prepared on him ahead of sentencing at the High Court in Glasgow on January 13 next year.