STEVEN CONNERY SENTENCED TO 13 YEARS FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES IN FORTH VALLEY

At the High Court in Glasgow, Judge Brown delivered a stern judgment, sentencing Steven Connery to a substantial extended prison term of 13 years following his conviction on four serious charges related to sexual offences. The court determined that a custodial sentence of 10 years was appropriate, with an additional three-year extension to address the gravity of his actions and the risk of re-offending.

Judge Brown emphasized the heinous nature of Connery’s crimes during the sentencing hearing. He stated, "On 28 March 2025, you were convicted after trial on four charges involving sexual offences committed against two female partners during your relationships with them. Charges 2 and 3 pertain to your conduct during your first relationship, which lasted approximately five months. During this period, you repeatedly raped her by engaging in sexual intercourse without her consent. Your intimidating and coercive behavior caused her to feel terrified, to the point where she believed she had no choice but to comply. She described freezing up during the assaults and subsequently curling into a ball, feeling horrendous and whimpering, often bleeding from her vagina."

The judge detailed a particularly disturbing incident where, while the first complainant was in the bathroom preparing for a night out, Connery entered, forcibly inserted his hand into her pants, and then put his fist into her vagina. The woman described the pain as "excruciating," and recounted that she was so shocked she could not speak. This assault left her bleeding and crying in pain, illustrating the severity of his misconduct.

Charges 5 and 7 relate to Connery’s conduct during a second relationship that lasted approximately two years. The second complainant, who has since passed away, provided a statement to the police, which was used as evidence in court. Despite her absence, her account was crucial in establishing the pattern of abuse. Connery repeatedly raped her without her consent and frequently, without warning, inserted his hand into her pants and his fingers into her vagina, despite her efforts to resist. The court heard that on one occasion, while lying in bed together, Connery suddenly inserted his fist into her vagina, which she described as causing her "agony." She characterized her experience with him as "absolute torture," highlighting the profound psychological and physical trauma inflicted.

Given the serious and disturbing nature of these offences, the court concluded that only a custodial sentence could adequately reflect the harm caused and the culpability involved. The impact on the victims, especially the second complainant who has since died, was underscored by a victim impact statement submitted by her sister, revealing the extensive and lasting damage to her and her family. The court acknowledged that such offences typically result in significant harm, and in this case, the harm was compounded by the fact that the victims were Connery’s partners, with the offending occurring repeatedly throughout their relationships.

In assessing culpability, the court noted aggravating factors, including Connery’s prior criminal record, which contained numerous domestic-related offences, and the persistent, predatory nature of his conduct. Although Connery was relatively young at the time of some offences, the court found that his age did little to mitigate his responsibility.

To ensure justice, Judge Brown imposed a single, combined sentence under section 210A of the 1995 Act, reflecting the seriousness of the offences, his criminal history, and the high risk of re-offending. The total sentence is an extended term of 13 years, comprising 10 years of imprisonment with a three-year extension period. During this extension, Connery will be subject to licence conditions set by Scottish Ministers, and any breach could result in his return to custody. The sentence is effective from 28 March 2025.

Breaking down the sentence, the 10-year custodial period can be viewed as approximately seven years for charges 2 and 3 if considered separately, and about eight years for charges 5 and 7. However, stacking these separately would have resulted in an excessive 15-year term, so the court combined and proportionally reduced the overall sentence to ensure fairness and justice.

Furthermore, Connery will be subject to indefinite notification requirements under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, meaning he must register as a sex offender and keep authorities informed of his whereabouts. Additionally, a non-harassment order has been issued, prohibiting any contact or attempts to contact the victims, directly or indirectly, including through social media, for an indefinite period. This comprehensive approach aims to protect the victims and prevent any further harm from Connery.