Man, 49, jailed over rape

A 49-year-old man was yesterday convicted of the rape of a young woman in Aberdeen city centre.

Alasdair Mcdonald, who attacked his 21-year-old victim in Union Terrace Gardens, Aberdeen, at around 3am on 28 January, 2016, is facing a lengthy jail sentence.

Mcdonald overpowered the woman, forced her to the ground, repeatedly struck her on the head, restricted her breathing by seizing her nose and then dragged her into bushes and raped her.

At the High Court in Glasgow, Mcdonald admitted sexually assaulting the woman, but denied he had raped her. The jury did not believe him and convicted him of rape.

Judge Lord Arthurson told Mcdonald: “You have been convicted of an abhorrent sexual offence against a young woman who was a complete stranger to you.” Mcdonald showed no emotion as he was led away to the cells.