Fife sex offender attempted to rape dog walker

Four years in jail for man branded a ‘grave risk to the safety of the public’

A Fife sex offender described as “a highly dangerous and violent man who presents a grave risk to the safety of the public” has been jailed indefinitely for the attempted rape of a woman in her thirties who was out walking her dogs.

Alexander McIlravie was made subject to a lifelong restriction order with a punishment period of four years’ imprisonment. He was also put on the sex offenders register for an indefinite period.

At the High Court in Livingston yesterday, Judge Lord Uist said the social work report on the 26-year-old made for very bleak reading, not just because of the circumstances of the rape bid but because he had committed two similar crimes in the past when he was aged 13 and 15.

McIlravie, formerly of Rossend Terrace, Burntisland, was found guilty of assault with intent to rape by a jury at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court on February 14.

Lord Uist said the victim had been a complete stranger to the accused when he attacked her on Burntisland Links at about 6.15pm on the dark, wet and windy evening of November 11 2015.

He told McIlravie: “When she was walking along a path there with her two dogs on a lead you ran up to her, jumped on her back and took her to the ground. You got on top of her and pinned her face down to the ground using your body weight. She shouted struggled to get free.

“Her dogs, who were still on the lead which she was holding, were barking loudly and continually.

“On your instruction she let go of their leads, but the dogs remained beside her to protect her. You then said to the woman that you had a blade and would cut the dogs if she did not make them shut up.

“She told you that the dogs would not go anywhere. She continued to struggle and you punched her on the head. The dogs remained on the spot, harassed you and continued to bark. Eventually you got up and ran away.

“Your victim believes that it was the presence and involvement of her dogs that made you break off your attack and leave.”

The judge added: “As a result of the attack your victim was extremely distressed and in a very bedraggled and dishevelled condition, with her hair in a mess and her clothes soaked through and covered in sand and water from the surface of the promenade.

“This was a terrifying experience for her and it has had a devastating effect upon her daily life. I am in no doubt that, had it not been for the action of your victim’s dogs, you would have proceeded to rape her.”

Lord Uist said the sentence would run from March 22 when the accused was remanded in custody. for help and