Man who raped and burned woman with cigarettes jailed

Image source, Vic Rodrick

A scrap metal firm boss who raped a woman and burned her with cigarettes, gas canisters and candle wax has been jailed for 11 years.

He had earlier been found guilty of rape and engaging in a course of abusive behaviour following a trial in Livingston.

Russell Gray, 63, tortured and sexually assaulted his victim multiple times in a number of places including Fife and Dundee.

Judge William Gallacher jailed Gray and also imposed a 99-year non-harassment order which bans him from contacting the woman.

During his trial, Gray claimed that any sexual contact was consensual.

But the woman once confronted Gray, insisting on five occasions she had been awoken by him raping her.

Gray stated the victim was trying to get him jailed in order to get £25,000 criminal injuries compensation. He described it as being like a "lottery win" for her.

A spokesperson for Police Scotland said Gray had shown "no remorse " for his crimes.

Det Con Alli Brown said: “Russell Gray is an abusive and violent individual who took advantage of a vulnerable female.

"This was a complex and extremely disturbing case and I welcome the court's findings.

"We understand how distressing this has been for the victim and her family and commend them for the courage they had in reporting these crimes.

"We hope that the guilty findings provide some level of closure, knowing that he has been held accountable for his horrific actions."