Serial rapist strangled a victim unconscious and then attacked her

A sex offender who raped three teenagers when they were unable to consent to sexual intercourse has been sentenced to five years in prison.

William Graham hunted his victims in 2021 – he strangled one until he lost consciousness, the other two were initially asleep at the time.

The 20-year-old was sentenced today at the High Court in Glasgow.

Graham repeatedly attacked the first girl in Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute until she “felt taken advantage of” by him.

The first time, she was asleep when he struck.

The acts of violence included choking, slapping and spitting.

The next girl was raped in a student halls of residence in Glasgow.

The court heard how he “strangled her until she lost consciousness” and then had sex with her after she was unconscious.

In another incident, this victim was said to have been left “crying in pain.”

The last girl was also attacked in a student dormitory in the city.

She had returned to her apartment, Graham had insisted on accompanying her and had followed her inside.

The girl had been drinking and had fallen asleep.

She was “shocked” when she woke up to find Graham having sex with her. The teenager felt “numb” and “terrified” by her ordeal.

CONTINUE READING: Early release of Scottish prisoners helps combat overcrowding

Graham, who last lived at Charing Cross in the city, was found guilty of three counts of rape and of having sex as a minor with one of the girls and another young woman.

Judge Douglas Brown also ordered Graham to be placed under supervision for an additional three years after his release.

He will remain on the sex offenders’ list indefinitely. In addition, Graham has been banned from having any contact with the victims for the next ten years.

The judge said he took into account sentencing guidelines for young people in dealing with Graham.

He told the rapist: “One (of the victims) has described in detail how what happened has significantly affected her self-esteem and her ability to have relationships.”

Defence counsel Tony Lenehan KC said Graham had experienced numerous difficulties during his childhood.

The lawyer also stated: “Because of his position (of denial), I can neither solve the crimes nor attempt to mitigate them.”