ABERDEENSHIRE MAN FOUND GUILTY OF ABUSE AND RAPES FOLLOWING TRIAL
An Inverurie man has been found guilty of raping a woman over an eight-year period following a harrowing trial at Aberdeen’s High Court.Michael Whyte denied the allegations, claiming everything had been consensual between him and his victim.
However, he later pled guilty to some charges involving non-sexual assaults and threatening and abusive behavior.
The jury took just over four hours to reach a verdict, finding him unanimously guilty of one charge of sexual assault and guilty by a majority on two charges of rape.
Whyte was placed on remand and will be sentenced at a later date.
During the trial, the court heard highly emotional testimony from his brave victim, who recorded disturbing audio clips of Whyte’s angry outbursts.
In these recordings, Whyte is heard screaming, shouting, and swearing at the woman, expressing frustration and rage, such as “I’m f****** done… You are really f****** me up… WHY?… Why do you keep doing this to me?” One clip captures him punching the fridge freezer.
The victim described him forcing her into sex, describing it as him “taking his anger out on me,” involving physical violence, with Whyte lifting and moving her, and stopping only to get a drink before returning to continue the assault for nearly two hours.
She recounted her attempts to seek help outside the property, but she felt she could only do so after he calmed down.
She described How Whyte’s controlling behavior, including strict rules about her social life and timings, as well as placing “terms and conditions” on their sexual activities.
Giving evidence, Whyte admitted to being deeply ashamed and taking out frustration on those around him.
He claimed the sexual acts were consensual, stating “It was with her consent” and that he believed it was initiated by her.
Under cross-examination, he acknowledged abusing the woman in parts and described the long rape as “make-up sex,” insisting she had consented at the time.
His defense highlighted his poor behavior and use of sex as a “sticking plaster” for his frustrations.
The judge deferred sentencing until next month, and Whyte was ordered to comply with Sexual Offences Act notification requirements.
He showed no emotion as he was led away, with background reports ordered for sentencing.
