‘Violent and predatory’ rapist jailed for 10 years after attack

Home Secretary Amber Rudd is to launch a crackdown on criminals who exploit the internet underworld known as the dark web.

She will announce a £9 million boost to efforts to tackle offenders who use the online space to trade in guns, drugs and child abuse images.

The dark web refers to a hidden layer of the internet that allows site operators and users to keep their activities hidden. This anonymity has attracted criminals seeking to avoid detection by law enforcement agencies. Speaking at the CYBERUK security conference in Manchester today, Ms Rudd will describe the dark web as a “dark and dangerous place where anonymity emboldens people to break the law.” A “violent and predatory” rapist who attacked a young woman in Aberdeen city centre has been jailed for ten years.

Alasdair Mcdonald, 49, struck in Union Terrace Gardens in January 2016.

Katie Johnston, who is now 23, waived her right to anonymity to speak about her ordeal. Speaking after Mcdonald was jailed, she said: “I am just so happy.

“I didn’t expect such a long sentence, but now I know that he can’t do this to anybody else for a good long time.”

Mcdonald had admitted sexual assault but had denied rape.

He was convicted on the rape charge by a jury at the High Court in Glasgow.