Rapist James Kelly, who abused six women and hit one with a golf club, was sentenced to ten years in prison

A man who subjected six women to extensive domestic and sexual abuse has been sentenced to ten years in prison.

James Kelly was found guilty of 18 charges following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh on 17 June.

Over a period of six years, the 43-year-old specifically targeted victims in the Edinburgh area, including several former partners.

His criminal conduct also occurred during car journeys between the capital, Inverness and Fife.

Kelly attacked a woman and seriously injured her by throwing her down a flight of stairs, hitting her on the head and pushing her on her body.

He tried to drag her out of a vehicle, kicked her in the body and strangled her.

The perpetrator was found guilty of causing the woman fear, alarm or distress by showing her a video depicting her in an intimate situation without her consent.

Kelly attacked a second woman several times, putting her life in danger by violently assaulting her.

These included pulling her hair, jumping on her body, hitting her with a golf club, and choking her.

He also hit her on the body with a crowbar, grabbed her by the hair and dragged her out of a motor vehicle.

During a camping trip, Kelly forced the same victim to watch pornographic videos and left her alone without any means of transportation during the dark.

The perpetrator behaved aggressively and threateningly towards a third woman and forced her to listen to a recording in which he abused his former partner.

He was convicted of numerous sexual offenses, including five counts of rape.

On July 15, Kelly was sentenced to ten years in prison by the High Court in Edinburgh.

His name was placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely and he was banned from having contact with his victims for 25 years under a restraining order.

Katrina Parkes, Scotland’s sex offender prosecutor, said: “James Kelly is a dangerous individual whose violent and predatory behaviour has caused unimaginable trauma.

“The courage of his victims to come forward and speak to the authorities deserves great praise.

“It is thanks to your evidence that he has now been held to account for his appalling criminal conduct.

“We would like to urge all victims of similar crimes not to suffer in silence but to report the matter. We will listen to you and support you as we seek justice.”

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