THOMAS ROBERTSON AND SHOCKING SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN AYRSHIRE AND STIRLING

A man identified as Thomas Robertson has been sentenced to serve eight years and eight months in prison following a series of violent and sexual assaults that occurred in Ayrshire and Stirling.

The first attack took place in the early hours of February 3rd, when Robertson, 27 years old, targeted a 21-year-old woman in Stirling. The incident occurred around 02:30 near an underpass close to the Customs Roundabout. The victim was walking home from a friend's flat when she was assaulted by Robertson. During this frightening ordeal, Robertson held a piece of concrete over her head, causing her to fear for her life. The severity of the attack left her convinced that she was in imminent danger of dying.

Robertson's criminal history includes previous convictions for robbery. Despite this, he pleaded guilty to charges of rape and assault with intent to rape stemming from this incident. The seriousness of his actions prompted the court, presided over by Lord Boyd, to issue a stern sentence. The judge stated that Robertson represented a significant threat to public safety and accordingly ordered that he be subjected to community supervision for five years after his release.

The court also heard distressing details from the prosecution, with prosecutor Gillian Ross recounting that the woman believed she would not escape her attacker alive. The attack left a lasting impact on her, so much so that she had to hide and call the police for help.

Less than 24 hours prior to the assault in Stirling, Robertson was involved in another violent incident—this time in Ayrshire. At around 23:00 on February 2nd, Robertson attacked a 22-year-old woman in Bridgehaugh Road, when she was heading home similar to the first victim. He forcibly grabbed her, violently punched her multiple times, and then pulled her towards nearby bushes. During this attack, he covered her mouth and brandished a length of wood, threatening her with further harm. Miraculously, the woman managed to escape and hide until she was able to contact law enforcement.

Defense lawyer Brian McConnachie acknowledged Robertson's extensive criminal record but noted that prior to these incidents, his convictions did not include sexual offenses. He admitted that Robertson's offending behavior had spiraled out of control, indicating awareness of the gravity of his actions.

Judge Lord Boyd emphasized the brutal nature of Robertson’s crimes, stating that within just a few hours, he subjected two women to severe sexual and physical violence, accompanied by threats. Given the gravity of these offenses, it was deemed necessary to impose a lengthy custodial sentence and enforce community monitoring post-release to protect the public.