The Scotsman

Midlothian man faces lengthy jail time for rape and assault of women

- By JAMES MULHOLLAND chris.marshall@scotsman.com

A MAN who repeatedly raped and assaulted two women over an eight-year period has been told to expect to receive a “substantia­l” jail sentence for his crimes.

George Currie, 27, attacked the two females, who cannot be named for legal reasons, at various locations in Midlothian between June 2008 and May 2016.

A jury convicted the man, of Piershill, Edinburgh, on a total of seven charges yesterday following a week-long trial at the High Court in Edinburgh.

During proceeding­s, the court heard how Currie start- ed physically abusing his first victim in nearly June 2008. He repeatedly punched and kicked her during the brutal attacks.

The court also heard that he repeatedly raped and sexually assaulted the woman on various occasions between 2008 and May 2009.

Currie, who has previous conviction­s for violence, repeatedly raped and physically assaulted his second victim in February 2016.

The abuse against the second woman continued until May 2016.

The court heard how Currie was brought to justice after his victims spoke to police investigat­ing his activities.

During the trial, Currie, who was represente­d by the Dean of the Faculty of Advocates, Gordon Jackson QC, maintained not guilty pleas.

Mr Jackson said his client suffered a serious brain injury as a child. Mr Jackson said the courtneede­dtoobtainr­eports about his client’s health before he could be sentenced.

On Monday, judge Lord Arthurson told Currie, that he’d been convicted of “very serious offences”.

He added: “The court can only impose one sentence in a case of this nature – and that is a substantia­l custodial one.”

Currie will be sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow on Tuesday, 5 September.

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