Rapist, 39, to ‘pay price’ for attacks

A JUDGE has told a man who abused four women over a 16-year period he will “pay a heavy price” for his “very serious crimes”.

Lord Summers warned tree surgeon Mark McLeod, 39, of Dundee, he could expect to be jailed after his conviction on charges of rape, assault, abduction and animal cruelty.

McLeod was found guilty on 15 counts after a 10-day trial at the High Court in Edinburgh.

McLeod claimed his victims, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had lied and he did nothing wrong but jurors rejected this after a day of deliberation.

Following the verdict, prosecutor Kath Harper told the court McLeod had previously been locked up for violent assaults and his criminal record ran to four pages.

Lord Summers remanded McLeod in custody and placed him on the sex offenders register.

Adjourning sentence for reports, the judge said: “You have been convicted of a number of very serious crimes. You should be under no illusion what faces you. “Even though I have deferred sentence for reports, there will be one disposal in this case. You will pay a heavy price for your crimes.”

Jurors heard McLeod preyed on his victims at addresses in Dundee and Angus.

His first victim was aged 16 when he started abusing her in November 1999. The court heard how McLeod repeatedly beat and raped the woman.

In May 2004, McLeod started abusing another woman who was 22. He raped and assaulted the woman until June the following year.

In one incident, McLeod assaulted the female by holding a knife to her body.

Between January 2009 and January 2010, McLeod assaulted another 37-yearold woman at a house in Forfar.

The jury also heard that between October 2010 and December 2015, McLeod carried out physical and sexual assaults against a woman who is now 25.

He also kicked and struck dogs during that time, including a Jack Russell, the court heard.

McLeod gave evidence to the court in which he said he had done nothing wrong and was being wrongly prosecuted.

Following conviction, defence advocate Chris Fyffe said he would address the court at the sentencing hearing.

McLeod will be sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow later this month.

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The High Court.