Serial rapist who hit woman in Edinburgh with golf club jailed

A man who brutally attacked and raped several women in Edinburgh has been jailed.

James Kelly beat one of his six victims with a golf club and a tire iron and threatened to kill another.

He was found guilty of 18 counts between 2014 and 2021, including six counts of rape and a number of other crimes, including sexual abuse and assault.

The 43-year-old was sentenced to ten years in prison by the Supreme Court for these crimes.

This article contains details that some may find disturbing.

The court heard Kelly, from Clermiston, climbed on top of a woman and began having sex with her, telling her he was going to “rape” her when she repeatedly asked him to stop.

Another woman he had repeatedly raped was pushed by him and fell down a flight of stairs. He also hit and kicked her.

Kelly threatened another woman and made abusive comments towards her. He also threatened to kill others and claimed he was in possession of a gun.

The court also heard that he punched and kicked a woman, hit her with a golf club and jumped on her.

Kelly also choked her and hit her with a tire iron while he drove the car.

He denied having intentionally used violence against women and insisted that sex without their consent had never occurred.

He described himself as an unemployed musician who had previously been diagnosed with ADHD. He said he had taken amphetamines, which he at one point referred to as “my medicine.”

Judge Fiona Tait said Kelly had only “limited previous convictions” and no history of sexual offending.

However, she told him that his crimes were of “significant seriousness” and had “significant impact” on his victims.

She ordered Kelly to remain under supervision for an additional four years, during which time he could return to prison if he violated the conditions.

It also issued an injunction prohibiting Kelly from contacting or attempting to contact the complainants for 25 years.

Following his conviction, Kelly was placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.

Det Insp Eirlys Fraser condemned Kelly’s behaviour and urged anyone who had experienced any kind of violence or sexual abuse to contact police.

She said: “James Kelly subjected his victims to shocking levels of violence and sexual abuse. He is an extremely dangerous individual who showed no remorse for his behaviour, but he is now paying the price for his despicable actions.”