The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Judge praises victims’ courage as man jailed
A judge has praised the courage shown by three women whose evidence about being raped by a “controlling bully” led to him being jailed for nine years.
Lord Pentland made the remarks moments before sending Lee Thomson, 26, to prison.
The High Court in Edinburgh heard how Thomson targeted the women in the Fife area between 2012 and 2019.
He abducted one young woman by locking her in a house.
He had ripped out the home’s internet connection and took away her mobile phone and laptop in a bid to prevent her from contacting anybody.
He also physically assaulted all three of his victims, who were aged 20, 24, and 25.
He smashed one complainer’s cheekbone in a violent attack and left the others covered in bruises.
Thomson, of Oakley, Dunfermline, had denied the charges and claimed all three women – who cannot be named for legal reasons – had consensual sex.
However, a jury convicted him on rape, abduction and assault charges following proceedings last month at the High Court in Livingston.
Yesterday, Lord Pentland also ordered Thomson to be supervised by the authorities for four years following his release from custody.
Passing sentence, Lord Pentland said: “The complainers deserve credit for the courage they have shown by giving evidence against you.
“You are unable to control your anger and frustration. You are a controlling bully and have no respect for women.
“It is clear that you have developed no insight into the gravity of your offending and the physical and psychological impact that your behaviour has had on the complainers in this case.
“You present a substantial risk to the safety of women and to the safety of the public.”