Predatory Rapist Jailed for 10 Years for Multiple Sexual Assaults

Neil Ireland, 39, from Methil, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for raping or sexually assaulting four women at homes across Fife.

Ireland was convicted of three offences of rape and three of sexual assault last month at the High Court in Edinburgh. He committed his crimes between 2008 and 2015 in Cupar, Leven and Methil.

One of the victims was raped while she was in bed with her baby daughter.

During sentencing, the judge described Ireland as a "predator" who "befriended and exploited vulnerable women by taking advantage of them sexually, not caring whether they consented to what he did to them."

Lord Uist added that Ireland "considered he was entitled to act as he did and has shown no remorse or regret."

A background report on Ireland revealed that he used denial, minimisation and blame, portraying himself as the victim.

Ireland's defence solicitor advocate, Iain Paterson, stated that Ireland was a first offender and had demonstrated "an excellent work ethic" in the past. He said Ireland intended to co-operate with the authorities during his prison sentence and would participate in offender programmes.

Ireland will be placed on the sex offenders' register indefinitely.