Teenager who raped woman sentenced to four years’ detention

Reports claim Craig Boyce continues to deny any wrongdoing

A teenager who raped an Angus 18-yearold was sent to detention for four years yesterday after a judge studied reports claiming he still “completely denied any wrongdoing”.

Craig Boyce was made subject to an extended sentence, meaning he will remain under social work supervision for two years following his release from detention to protect the public.

Sentencing Boyce at the High Court in Livingston, Judge Lord Woolman also ordered that his name should remain on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.

Boyce, 19, showed no emotion as he was led to the cells – in marked contrast to him weeping loudly in the dock at the High Court in Edinburgh when the jury’s guilty verdicts were announced.

Jurors heard evidence that Boyce preyed on two females, who cannot be named for legal reasons, at addresses in Brechin and Airdrie between August 2015 and January 2016.

Boyce, who was 17 at the time of the offences, raped the 18-year-old woman

“One of your victims said she was in a very dark place for a very long time. LORD WOOLMAN

at a house in Brechin before attacking her for the second time at a property in Airdrie.

He then sexually abused another 18-year-old woman at an address in the Lanarkshire town.

Passing sentence, Lord Woolman told him his offences had had significant consequences for his victims.

The judge said: “One of your victims said she was in a very dark place for a very long time.

“By her own determination and with the help of her family and friends she has managed to get her life back on track.”

He said he took into account that Boyce was a first offender who seemed to have moved on in life despite having to deal with the stress associated with his offences.

He also said the accused’s relative youth, his welfare and his ability to reintegrate into society were important factors in deciding sentence.

However, he highlighted comments in the social work background report that Boyce still “completely denied any wrongdoing”, had failed to engage in a meaningful way and was assessed as being at a medium risk of sexual offending in future.

He added: “Having regard to retribution and the need to protect the public, I am satisfied only a custodial sentence is appropriate.

“I will impose an extended sentence to enable you to enable you to engage in constructive programmes on your release.”