AYRSHIRE RAPIST AWAITS SENTENCE FOR ABUSE OF FORMER PARTNERS
Update from 09/10/2025: William Byrne, 45, has been sentenced to nine-and-a-half years behind bars when he returned to the High Court in Glasgow.The 45-year-old will also be subject to supervision for four years upon his release.
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A VIOLENT Ayrshire rapist is awaiting sentence for the abuse of two former partners.
The High Court in Glasgow heard that William Byrne left the women "too afraid to say no" during the course of their respective relationships with the offender.
The 45-year-old pleaded guilty to six charges - three of rape and three of assault - when he appeared in the dock on Thursday, September 11.
Not guilty pleas to a further 21 allegations were accepted by prosecutors.
Byrne, listed as an inmate at HMP Kilmarnock, had known the first woman for a number of years.
The court was told that Byrne was described as "charming" and that the pair had "a great time" when the relationship commenced.
However, his behaviour was said to have "changed" just weeks later.
During one incident, in July 2018, Byrne 'made her have sex' in a car, with incidents such as this reportedly happening frequently.
On another occasion, Byrne's partner woke to him lunging towards her with a pillow, pressing it into her face "using his body weight" while shouting "go on, scream, scream." She later escaped into the bathroom before fleeing.
A further argument involved Byrne having his partner's phone in July 2018, when he left the room and returned with an 18-inch metal pole, threatening to "break her shins" before aiming blows at her legs.
The woman felt coerced into having sex to avoid arguments and believed she had "lost all feeling of self-worth." The last incident of rape occurred in October 2019, after their relationship had ended, where she was again said to have felt "too afraid to say no." The offences were committed in Irvine and Kilmarnock.
Byrne also displayed violence toward the woman, hitting her with a can, forcing her onto the bed, hitting her head against the headboard, and punching her.
He also held a pillow over her face and shouted "just shut up." Additionally, Byrne poured candle wax into her hair using a candle he lit, threatened her with a bread knife, cutting her back with the blade, and left a permanent scar after making a large cut on her leg, showing remorse afterwards.
Her defence highlighted that Byrne had served previous custodial sentences, including for domestic offences in 2021.
The court was told that Byrne had known the first woman for several years and that his behaviour changed significantly after initial charm.
Byrne was remanded in custody and added to the sex offenders register while awaiting sentencing, which was deferred until later this year.
The judge, Lord Renucci, agreed to this arrangement.
