‘Violent and controlling’ sex attacker locked up

Mark McLeod given a minimum tariff of 13 years and nine months after rapes and abduction

Police Scotland has welcomed the incarceration of a Dundee tree surgeon who raped and abused women over a 12-year-period.

Mark McLeod, 39, had been found guilty of 15 charges including raping three women, assault, abduction and animal cruelty following a 10-day trial at the High Court in Edinburgh earlier this year.

Sentencing him at the High Court in Glasgow yesterday, Lord Summers told McLeod his past was “liberally sprinkled with crimes of violence”.

He said McLeod had a long history of offending dating back to when he was 18.

He said: “I note that you are 39 years of age and that you have a lengthy schedule of criminal convictions. Those convictions start in September 1997 when you were aged about 18 and continue up to 2013.

“The schedule is liberally sprinkled with crimes of violence as well as crimes of dishonesty.

“In addition the evidence at trial and your criminal justice social inquiry report make it clear that you have a very poor attitude to women. Accordingly, the court is not inclined to adopt a benevolent or forgiving view of your behaviour.”

He said: “The criminal justice social work report assesses you as presenting a high level of risk to intimate partners and children upon your eventual release from prison. In the circumstances, I have decided that an extended sentence is appropriate.”

He imposed an extended sentence of 17 years and nine months.

McLeod will have to spend 13 years and nine months behind bars before he will be released on licence. If he reoffends during the four years he will be on licence, he will be sent back to prison.

Detective Inspector Muriel Fuller, of Police Scotland’s Domestic Abuse Task Force, welcomed the conviction.

She said: “Mark McLeod is a violent and controlling individual.

“With this sentence McLeod must face the consequences of his actions.

“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.”

The criminal justice social work report assesses you as presenting a high level of risk to intimate partners and children