KILMARNOCK RAPIST AND DOMESTIC ABUSER STEVEN SPROTT SENTENCED TO NINE YEARS IN PRISON

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, Steven Sprott, aged 45, has been sentenced to nine years behind bars after being found guilty of a series of heinous crimes involving domestic abuse and sexual assault. The offences, which spanned nearly a decade from 1996 to 2005, were committed at various addresses within Kilmarnock, highlighting a disturbing pattern of violence and control.

During the proceedings at the High Court in Glasgow, it was revealed that Sprott’s violent tendencies emerged shortly after he became involved with two women, aged 47 and 48. The court heard harrowing accounts from the victims, who described living in constant fear of Sprott’s explosive temper and controlling behaviour. The 48-year-old victim recounted how Sprott had subjected her to repeated assaults, including dragging her around the house by her hair, throwing food at her, and physically attacking her with punches and kicks to her head and body. On one particularly frightening occasion, he even pressed a knife to her throat, a moment that underscored the severity of his violence.

The 47-year-old victim also detailed her experiences of being monitored and timed whenever she left the house to buy groceries or visit family and friends. She explained that Sprott’s rage would flare if her chores were not completed on time or if she inadvertently annoyed him. The court heard that Sprott’s violence extended beyond physical assaults; he was convicted of raping the 48-year-old woman on multiple occasions between 2003 and 2005, adding a deeply disturbing dimension to his criminal record.

Judge Lord Mulholland, presiding over the case, emphasized the seriousness of Sprott’s actions, describing his behaviour as controlling and coercive. The judge ordered that Sprott, who is already registered as a sex offender, should be closely monitored in the community on licence for three years following his release from prison. In his sentencing remarks, Lord Mulholland made it clear that Sprott’s conduct was a stark violation of the rights and dignity of the women involved. He stated, “Women are not property. Within a relationship, women are not property to do with what you wish. You told the social worker who interviewed you that you do not trust or like women. By your actions, you are a danger to women.”

The court’s verdict underscores the gravity of Sprott’s crimes and the impact on his victims, who lived in constant fear of his unpredictable and violent outbursts. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of addressing domestic abuse and protecting vulnerable individuals from such predatory behaviour.