ABERDEEN MARTIAL ARTS EXPERT JAILED FOR RAPE AND ASSAULT
A tattooed man from Aberdeen, identified as Matthew Wood, 31, has been sentenced to a prolonged imprisonment after being convicted of serious sexual crimes.He was found guilty of raping and sexually assaulting a woman during an incident in March 2023.
The court in Edinburgh heard how he also attempted to rape his victim, who remains unnamed for legal reasons, by physically restraining her and calling her offensive names.
The assault involved punching her and restricting her neck with his arm, along with physical violence against a child present at the scene.
Throughout the proceedings, Wood observed the court via video link from HMP Grampian, where he is currently held.
The judge, Lady Haldane, described the impact of his crimes on the victim, highlighting her psychological and physical injuries.
She stated that the woman suffered significant mental trauma and physical harm, although her injuries are now healing.
The court sentenced Wood to a total of 11 years, including an eight-year custodial sentence and a three-year supervision extension post-release.
Despite his conviction, Wood maintained his innocence, claiming he did not rape the victim.
The court also ordered him to register on the Sex Offenders Register for life.
His crimes were committed between February and March of last year in Aberdeen, leading to his recent conviction for rape, attempted rape, threatening behaviour, and assault.
The judge emphasized the severity of the crimes and the trauma inflicted upon the victim, leading to the extended prison term and mandatory sex offender registration.
