Celtic plunge fan faces life for three rapes
Attacks took place over two years
a man who cheated death after plunging from the top tier of celtic Park could be facing a life sentence for raping three women.
Alexander Rafferty, 55, put his victims through horrendous ordeals, telling one of the women: “I will show you what f ***** g rape is.”
Rafferty hit the headlines in 1999 when he tumbled from the Jock Stein stand at Parkhead during a powderkeg Celtic and Rangers clash.
He remarkably only suffered a broken nose and was captured on TV waving and giving a thumbs up as he was stretchered out the ground.
But, 22 years later, Rafferty repeatedly shook his head as jurors at the High Court in Glasgow found him guilty of three rape charges.
The crimes happened between August 2018 and April 2020 at a flat in the city’s Wyndford and at the predator’s home in Royston.
A judge warned Rafferty he may be hit with an Order for Lifelong Restriction (OLR).
The first victim had been in a relationship with the rapist.
The woman – who has since passed away – told police how Rafferty once flew into a rage because she was not getting ready fast enough prior to a night out. Recalling a sex attack, she said: “He ripped off my clothes. He was choking me and I could hardly breathe. I could not get the words out, he was choking me that much.”
Rafferty got chatting to the next victim in Glasgow city centre in late January 2020 and she went back to his flat.
He went on to threaten her, demanded she take off her clothes and refused to let her leave.
After being raped, the terrified woman dialled 999 – but was too scared to speak on the phone.
The final victim was abused in similar way after Rafferty again took her back to his home.
She ended up attacking him with a screwdriver to get him away and fled.
Lady Rae remanded Rafferty in custody and adjourned the case until next month.