A "controlling and dangerous" serial rapist who began a sustained campaign of physical and sexual abuse against a number of women when he was just 16 has been jailed.
Francis Sanderson, 29, has been caged for 15 years, with a further five years extended sentence, after abusing six women and girls over a 13 year period.
Sanderson, also known by the surname Campbell, carried out multiple rapes and sexual assaults between 2008 and 2020 in the Moray, Easter Ross and Inverness area after befriending his victims.
A jury at the High Court in Inverness found him guilty of a catalogue of violent and sexual offences on vulnerable females he befriended.
One victim was 14-years-old when she was raped by Sanderson in a public park.
Another was gagged with a sock and tape before being subjected to a serious sexual assault.
Prosecutors from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) told the jury that Sanderson attempted to control his victims through threats and physical violence.
He further pled guilty to assaulting a police officer who was attempting to arrest him.
At the High Court in Glasgow today Sanderson was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment. He was also given a five-year sentence extension and will be closely monitored on his release.
National Procurator Fiscal for High Court Sexual Offending, Fraser Gibson, commended the victims - all now adults - for their courage in reporting the crimes.
He said: "Francis Sanderson was a serial abuser of women who damaged the lives of females with whom he came into contact.
"His offending covers most of his adult life. He moved from victim to victim.
"We are grateful for the courage of the women who came forward to report their experiences and bring this offending to an end.
"Prosecutors within COPFS are committed to pursuing justice for victims of such abuse and we would encourage all victims of similar offending to come forward, report it and seek help."
Detective Inspector Gordon Patullo added: “Francis Sanderson perpetrated domestic abuse offences for many years and has today been held accountable for his conduct.
“Sanderson’s offending is marked by a sustained campaign of physical and sexual abuse against a number of women.
“He has shown himself to be a controlling and dangerous individual who perpetrated a torrent of domestic abuse throughout his adult life. With this sentence Sanderson will face the consequence of his actions for years to come.
“His conviction is welcomed and sends out a clear message that domestic abuse crimes not be tolerated in a modern Scotland and will be robustly investigated by Police Scotland.
"I would like to acknowledge the victims in this case and I hope that today's sentencing provides them with some closure which will allow them to move on with their lives
“We would take this opportunity to reach out to anyone who is experiencing or has experienced domestic abuse; it is never too late to report to the police or seek support and advice from one of our partner agencies such as Women's Aid."
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