ALAN HARDIE

GRETNA MAN JAILED FOR NINE YEARS OVER REPEATED SEXUAL ASSAULTS

A convicted sex offender who subjected a woman to repeated ordeals of rape has been sentenced to nine years in prison.

Alan Hardie, aged 53 and from Gretna, was convicted of a series of sexual assaults committed in the Scottish Borders after being released from prison for raping another woman.

Although he denied multiple sex charges, he was found guilty of two counts of rape spanning from 1997 to 2015.

The sentencing took place at the High Court in Edinburgh, where he was ordered to be placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely.

During the sentencing, Judge Lord Beckett stated, "As a consequence of your dreadful conduct the complainer has had to take medication for anxiety and depression." Hardie was also subjected to a further three years of supervision under an extended sentence, deemed necessary to safeguard the public.

The sexual assaults occurred in houses located in Melrose and Kelso.

The defense attorney, Brian McConnachie QC, mentioned that Hardie maintained his innocence regarding the rape charges despite the conviction.

He noted that there seemed to be a considerable support network backing him.

Hardie, who previously worked at a recycling site, had also claimed during his trial that he had faced rape charges before, resulting in a four-year prison sentence starting in January 1994.

He attested that during that period, he had undertaken steps to address alcohol issues and had completed anger management courses.