Rapist serial abuser who stopped woman going to her father's funeral jailed

A man who "terrorised" four women over a long campaign of sexual and physical abuse has been jailed for 16 years.

Christopher Malcolm, 37, raped, attacked and abused the women - including preventing one from attending her father's funeral - at locations in Moray and Lothian.

Malcolm denied the crimes, but a jury found him guilty.

Judge Alison Stirling, sentencing at the High Court in Edinburgh, praised the victims for their courage.

She said Malcolm described himself as a "control freak", and that jail was the only option. He will also be supervised after his release.

Malcolm, originally of Cockenzie, East Lothian, started his course of offending in July 2008 and it continued until September 2024.

A jury heard how he subjected his first victim to repeated sexual assaults.

He also struck the woman's head off a wall.

Malcolm subjected a second woman to physical abuse at a flat in Forres.

The court heard how he punched her before choking her and pushing her against a wall.

Malcolm also repeatedly raped another woman in locations in Danderhall and Haddington. He also subjected her to abusive and threatening behaviour.

He also repeatedly raped another woman and subjected her to physical assaults.

Malcolm isolated one victim from her family and friends and prevented her from attending her father's funeral.

The court heard how police launched an investigation after the victims came forward.

They gave evidence at proceedings earlier this year and told jurors about the traumas that Malcolm subjected them to.

During proceedings, Malcolm told jurors that one woman's account of how she had been sexually assaulted was wrong.

He added: "It did not happen. It was consensual."

Jurors returned guilty verdicts to a total of 12 charges.

They included rape, sexual assault, assaulting women to the danger of life, and threatening and abusive behaviour.

Defence counsel Brian McConnachie KC said a social worker believed that Malcolm was beginning to understand the impact that his offending had on his victims.

"There's some distance to this becoming fully formed but it is hoped the understanding will continue to be progressed," he said.

The victims also provided the judge with statements detailing the impact that Malcolm's offending had on them.

Stirling said: "They are courageous and articulate women who have set out what the effects of your offending behaviour has had on them and is continuing to have on them."

The judge told Malcolm: "You describe yourself as a control freak and wanted to dictate the life of a complainer.

"Custody is the only sentence which can be imposed in the circumstances."

Malcolm will be supervised by the authorities for three years following his release from custody.

He was also placed on the sex offenders register for life.

Det Sgt Jade Wardell, of Police Scotland, said: "Christopher Malcolm is an extremely dangerous individual who terrorised the victims and subjected them to horrific abuse."