Prison for rapist who involved Highlands in 10-year campaign

A brutal rapist has been jailed after attacking and abusing three women and a child over the course of a decade.

Alastair Nicolson was found guilty of a number of offences following a trial at the High Court in Inverness on 22 May 2024.

The crimes occurred between January 1991 and April 2001 in the Highland and Argyll and Bute areas.

The 55-year-old repeatedly hit a woman. He pulled her hair, hit her on the head, insulted her and threatened her with a knife, hammer and scissors.

The court also heard how he beat her on the body with a poker and a coal bucket and then strangled her.

Nicolson was also convicted of multiple rapes of a woman.

He was found to have engaged in lewd, indecent and lascivious practices and behaviour towards a young girl. Nicolson then raped the child, who was under 16 years of age.

A third woman was brutally attacked by the perpetrator; among other things, he grabbed her by the neck and threatened to hit her.

His fourth victim was repeatedly punched and kicked. He stubbed out a cigarette on her body, headbutted her and punched her in the face, causing injuries. In another attack, Nicolson knocked out the woman’s tooth, took her to the ground, kicked her in the head and threatened to kill her.

On 19 July 2024, he was sentenced to 14 years in prison at the High Court in Edinburgh. His name was placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.

In addition, indefinite restraining orders were issued preventing Nicolson from contacting or attempting to contact three victims.

Katrina Parkes, a sex offender at Scotland’s Supreme Court, said: “Alastair Nicolson is a dangerous, controlling and violent individual who inflicted unimaginable trauma on the women he targeted.

“Thanks to the courage of his victims who reported him to the authorities, his repeated criminality has now been brought to an end.

“I hope this conviction gives them some comfort and shows them that he will be held accountable for his actions.

“I urge all victims of similar crimes to have faith that time is no barrier. Please come forward, report it and seek support.”

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