Dangerous rapist who caused ‘immeasurable harm’ to his victims jailed

Jordan Richford, 30, hunted the teenagers, whose names cannot be mentioned for legal reasons, between July 2010 and August 2013 in locations in Ayrshire, Glasgow and here.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard that Richford was a teenager when he began his crimes.

Judge Thomas Welsh KC heard how he repeatedly raped two of his victims and sexually assaulted all three complainants.

On Monday, a lawyer for Richford, who was convicted earlier this year following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow, addressed Judge Welsh in the Scottish capital.

Barrister Gareth Jones KC told the court that his client still stood by the position he had taken during the trial and that he was satisfied that he had not been guilty of any wrongdoing.

The lawyer said his client was a teenager at the time of the crimes.

He added: “I ask Your Lordship to take into account his young age at the time of these offences.”

CONTINUE READING: Consequences of the major fire at the Linwood Enva plant

However, Judge Welsh told Richford, a remand prisoner who was watching the hearing via video link from prison, that he would have to go to prison for his crimes.

In handing down the sentence, Judge Welsh spoke about what Richford had told a social worker who had been appointed by the court to prepare a report on his past.

Judge Welsh said: “The reporter says you justified, downplayed and denied your actions to your victims.

“You have shown little remorse and are considered to pose a serious risk of further sexual offences.

“The damage you have caused is immeasurable.”

Judge Welsh also ordered Richford to undergo three years of supervision following his release from prison and placed him on the sex offenders’ register for life.