HUGH MCPHEE SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS FOR RAPE AND ASSAULT IN SPITTAL AND CAITHNESS

A man identified as Hugh McPhee has been sentenced to a decade behind bars after being found guilty of multiple serious crimes involving two pregnant women. The offences span over a period of more than two decades, with the earliest incidents dating back to 1980 and the most recent occurring in 2002. McPhee, aged 56 and residing in Spittal, Caithness, was convicted of a series of heinous acts that included rape, assault, indecent assault, and other forms of abusive behavior.

The court heard that McPhee’s violent actions against one of his victims escalated to the point where he forcefully kicked down a bathroom door in an attempt to attack her. Once inside, he subjected her to repeated physical assaults, kicking and punching her multiple times. During the attack, he also poured tea over her, adding a humiliating and degrading element to his violence. This incident was part of a broader pattern of abuse that spanned many years.

The second victim’s ordeal began when she was still a minor. McPhee’s abuse of her started when she was underage, and he forced her to perform a sexual act on him in Thurso. The court was informed that he later raped her at various locations, including houses in Wick. His violent tendencies extended beyond sexual assault; he attempted to push her into a river and even tried to push her over the handrail of a boat, demonstrating a pattern of controlling and threatening behavior.

During the proceedings at the High Court in Edinburgh, McPhee denied all charges brought against him. Despite his denials, the jury found him guilty of nine separate offences, which included assault, rape, indecent assault, and indecent behavior. The judge, Nigel Morrison QC, sentenced him to ten years in prison, emphasizing that there was no alternative but to impose a custodial sentence given the severity of his crimes.

Furthermore, Judge Morrison ordered that McPhee be placed on the sex offenders' register indefinitely, reflecting the gravity of his offenses and the ongoing risk he poses. The police and authorities have welcomed the sentence, with Detective Inspector Muriel Fuller stating that from the beginning of the investigation, it was evident that McPhee had targeted vulnerable women. She described how both victims lived in constant fear and dread during their respective relationships with him, highlighting his controlling, violent, threatening, and abusive nature. Both women chose to remain anonymous, often referring to him simply as 'him' or 'he,' underscoring the trauma and fear that continue to affect them.

McPhee’s crimes have left a lasting impact on the victims and the community, and the lengthy sentence aims to serve justice and protect others from potential harm.