Serial rapist James Kelly sentenced to 10 years in prison for campaign of violence against women | News from Britain

The 43-year-old “dangerous man” James Kelly targeted six women in the Edinburgh area between 2014 and 2021.

A serial rapist who hit one of his victims with a golf club during a campaign of violence against several women has been sentenced to ten years in prison.

Both police Scotland and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) branded 43-year-old James Kelly a “dangerous person”.

Kelly hunted down six women in Edinburgh Range between 2014 and 2021.

His crimes also occurred during car journeys between the Scottish capital Inverness and Fife.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard how Kelly attacked a woman by pushing her down a flight of stairs and beating her.

Campaign of violence

In another attack, he tried to force her out of a vehicle and kicked and choked her.

Kelly also caused the same woman fear, terror, or distress by showing her a video that depicted her in an intimate situation without her consent.

Another victim was also violently attacked several times.

Kelly pulled her hair, jumped on her, hit her with a golf club and choked her.

In another attack, he hit her with a crowbar, grabbed her by the hair and dragged her out of a motor vehicle.

And during a camping trip, Kelly forced the same victim to watch porn videos and left her in the dark without transportation.

Kelly behaved aggressively and threateningly toward another victim and forced her to listen to a recording of him abusing another woman.

Kelly, who described himself as an unemployed musician, denied any wrongdoing but was found guilty of 18 charges in June following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh.

Fourteen years in prison

He was convicted of several sexual offences, including six counts of rape. He was also found guilty of a number of other offences, including uttering threats or ill-treatment, as well as kidnapping, assault and endangering life.

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Kelly returned to the dock for sentencing on Monday, where his client continued to protest his innocence, according to lawyer Iain McSporran.

Kelly was sentenced to an extended term of 14 years in prison, including ten years in prison and four years probation after her release from the community.

He was also placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely and banned from contacting his victims for 25 years.

“Caused unimaginable trauma”

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 the highest praise.

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

According to Police Scotland, Kelly subjected his victims to “shocking levels of violence and sexual abuse.”

Unrepentant person

Detective Inspector Eirlys Fraser added: “He is an extremely dangerous individual who showed no remorse for his behaviour but is now paying the price for his despicable actions.”

“I want to thank the women for their strength in speaking out during this investigation and helping us build a compelling case against him.

“I hope this result gives them a sense of closure and allows them to put this terrible ordeal behind them.”