'Appalling' man who subjected two pregnant women to rape attacks jailed for ten years

An ‘appalling’ man who subjected two pregnant women to a series of horrifying rapes has been jailed for ten years.

Jack Murray, 21, forced the female who was expecting a child to have sex against her will at a house in St Andrews, Fife, on an occasion in July 2023.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard how Murray also indulged in threatening behaviour towards the woman.

A jury heard how at the time the woman was raped, he prevented her from leaving the property where the rape took place and detained her there against her will.

Murray, who also came from St Andrews, Fife, also repeatedly raped another pregnant woman at locations in his home town throughout 2024.

He also engaged in threatening behaviour towards this victim during the time period before.

Police eventually became aware of Murray’s activities and built enough of a case to bring him to justice.

He was convicted following a trial at the high court earlier this year. Judge Lord Summers deferred sentence in order to obtain background reports on Murray.

The case called for sentencing on Friday and during a discussion about the report with defence advocate Iain Paterson KC about Murray’s offending, Lord Summers spoke about what the evidence led during the trial showed about the accused.

He said: “I think he has issues which need to be addressed. His behaviour was appalling.”

The court had earlier heard how Murray’s took place between 2023 and 2024.

Mr Paterson told the court that Murray, who had pleaded not guilty at earlier proceedings, still maintained the position he had at trial.

He added: “There is some acknowledgement of bad behaviour on the part of the accused towards the complainers.

“However, there is no acceptance of sexual offending.”

Mr Paterson told the court that his client met the legal definition of being a child at the time of the offences.

Lord Summers told Murray, who observed proceedings via video link, that he’d be supervised for three years following his release from custody.

He added: “I accept that you were young and immature at the time of these offences.”

Murray was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.