Sexual offender sentenced to six years in prison at the High Court in Edinburgh

Connor McNealis committed his first sexual assault on a victim in the Broomhouse area of ​​Edinburgh when he was still a teenager before repeatedly raping a second woman four years later in Paisley, Renfrewshire.

McNealis, 27, formerly of Hamilton Road, Gullane, had denied a number of charges in an earlier trial.

But a judge at the High Court in Edinburgh told him: “You were found guilty of four counts of rape following a trial.”

Lord Weir said these were “very serious crimes” and a prison sentence was the necessary consequence of the verdict.

The judge acknowledged that McNealis was a first-time offender who had never served a prison sentence and that he was assessed as having a medium risk of recidivism.

The court heard that McNealis continued to deny any responsibility for the offences.

McNealis attacked and raped his first victim, aged 19, twice between May and September 2016.

He then raped the second woman several times in 2020 and 2021 in apartments in the Seedhill area of ​​Paisley.

Defence lawyer Simon Gilbride said McNealis had indicated that he was suffering from feelings of hopelessness and depression.

But he added: “He is determined to make something of his life, not only for himself but for the people he loves.”

“He has demonstrated that he has a work ethic, and that suggests he has the potential to become a useful member of society.”

“He appears to have worked relatively continuously since graduating from school,” the defense attorney said.

McNealis, who watched the sentencing via video link from prison, was told he would be placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.