A serial Scots rapist who reigned terror on four women may never be freed from prison and will be monitored for the rest of his life.
Alexander Thomson, 42, subjected his victims to a catalogue of barbaric abuse across a seven year period in West Lothian between 2012 and 2019.
His crimes included rape, knocking the teeth from one of his victims and burning her body with cigarettes. Another awoke to find Thomson had placed a plastic bag over her head to restrict her breathing.
Thomson stood before the High Court in Glasgow today, convicted of 17 charges involving the abuse of four former partners – including charges of assault, abduction and 10 counts of rape. Two victims who suffered at the hands of Thomson sadly died before he faced trial.
Their evidence was heard with statements read by one of the investigating officers in the case, which contributed to Thomson being found guilty. He was handed an Order of Lifelong Restriction and sentenced to a minimum of four years in prison before he is eligible for parole.
He was further given a lifetime Non Harassment Order, preventing him approaching or contacting his victims.
Scotland’s head Procurator Fiscal for High Court Sexual Offences, Fraser Gibson, said: “Alexander Thomson’s offending brutalised and bullied women who trusted him. He betrayed their trust in the most despicable manner. It is extremely sad that two of his victims did not live to see Thomson brought to justice.
"We are grateful for the evidence they provided in their determination that he be held to account – and to the other two women who bravely spoke out. The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service is committed to the rigorous pursuit of justice. Our prosecutors will utilise all evidence available in this process.
“We would urge any victim or witness of similar offending to come forward, report it and seek help.”
Earlier, we told how the officer reading testimonies from the two victims who had sadly passed away said they had deserved to have their voices heard from beyond the grave.
Detective Sergeant Aisling Corduff, who read their statements from the witness box, told the Record: " “It is not something that happens very often but I believe it had a huge impact on the case. They couldn’t speak but I had sat and listened to them and I knew their voices. I formed relationships with these women, spent hours with them.”
Bernie Laing, 30, died in July 2020, before Thomson’s trial and her mum Margaret blames him for her death.
DS Corduff said: “I felt proud to be reading their words aloud for them because I knew how much it meant to them and to Bernie’s mother. I felt like they deserved to be heard.”
Thomson was arrested for his heinous crimes on December 12, 2019.
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