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Nairn man described as "a danger to women" is convicted of multiple rapes and sex assaults at the High Court in Inverness


By Ali Morrison

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The High Court case was heard at Inverness Justice Centre.
The High Court case was heard at Inverness Justice Centre.

The previous sex offender faced a total of 22 charges involving six different victims over an 18 year period.

The court heard that Christopher Hyde (38) of Ord View Gate, Nairn, attacked his victims in various properties and locations in Inverness, Nairn and Aberdeen.

The attacks took place between January 1, 2000 and October 11, 2018.

In a trial which took almost three weeks, the jury convicted him on 11 offences, including four of rape involving two women and two of sexually assaulting a third woman.

The jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts on the married man after nearly three hours of deliberations.

Hyde shook his head in the direction of his wife who was sitting in the public benches and shrugged his shoulders.

He also attempted to address Lord Mulholland, who brusquely told him to be quiet.

The judge deferred sentence on Hyde until October 22 in the High Court in Edinburgh, for a background report and risk assessment.

He placed him on the Sex Offenders' Register and remanded him in custody meantime.

He told Hyde: "You have been convicted of a number of serious offences, including multiple rapes.

"Lest there be any misunderstanding, these are the most serious of crimes involving a course of disgraceful behaviour perpetrated against women over a period of time.

"You are clearly a danger to women. There will be a significant term of imprisonment."

Advocate depute Chris Fyffe told the judge that he had one impact statement from a victim and others were pending.

He went on to detail Hyde's list of previous convictions, which Lord Mulholland described as "alarming."

Mr Fyffe said: "In 2005, he was convicted at sheriff and jury level in Inverness of having unlawful sex with children.

"There were six convictions and he received an extended sentence of one year with a three year extension.

"In 2008 at Tain he was convicted of a sexually aggravated breach of the peace and received six months in prison.

"In June 2011 he breached a sexual offences prevention order and was made subject to a further sexual offences prevention order on April 30 this year.

"There are also a number of outstanding matters relating to breaches of the registration requirements for sex offenders."


View our fact sheet on court reporting here




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