Perth man jailed for raping woman at knifepoint seeking her revenge

Gary Brand, a 49-year-old man from Perth, Scotland, was convicted of raping a woman at knifepoint in a disturbing incident carried out in an attempt to have her kill him in revenge. According to court reports, Brand had known his victim for many years and they had arranged to meet after he lost his job. During their encounter, he confided in her about his financial difficulties, then brandished a hunting knife and requested that she kill him, effectively inviting her to end his life. When she declined, Brand prevented her from leaving, held the knife to her throat, and sexually assaulted her. Sheriff William Wood described the acts as 'an appalling way to behave' and 'a disgraceful act,' noting that Brand had 'pushed her onto a sofa and covered her mouth to prevent her from crying.' The court sentenced him to 30 months in jail, ordered him to register as a sex offender for life, and issued a five-year non-harassment order banning contact with the victim. Upon hearing about his lifelong registration, Brand expressed surprise, saying, 'Life? That’s a bit harsh.'