A serial rapist who preyed on women and underage girls during a campaign of abuse spanning almost a decade has been jailed for 15 years.
Stuart Harding, 35, was branded a “manipulative sexual predator who moved from victim to victim” by a leading prosecutor.
Harding was last month found guilty of multiple sex offences against three women and two girls in Orkney over an almost nine-year period between June 2012 and April 2021.
The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said he raped the three women, including on occasions where two of the victims were asleep and unable to consent.
COPFS said he contacted one girl, who was under the age of 13, on Snapchat.
He later drove her to a secluded location where he attempted to rape her in the back of his van.
COPFS said Harding continued to abuse the youngster over several years, repeatedly engaging in unlawful sexual activity with her.
A second girl, who was under the age of 16, was also sexually abused by Harding in his vehicle.
In addition to the sex offences, he was further convicted of behaving in an abusive manner by threatening to take his own life in 2015.
Katrina Parkes, procurator fiscal for high court sexual offences, said: “Stuart Harding is a manipulative sexual predator who moved from victim to victim.
“His serial offending is likely to have inflicted unimaginable trauma and those affected must be commended for sharing their experiences.
“Their bravery has ensured that Harding has now been held accountable while also protecting other women and girls from his depraved behaviour.”
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Harding was found guilty last month of 12 separate charges following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh.
He was convicted of six rape charges; behaving in a threatening or abusive manner; sexual assault; the rape of a young child; having intercourse with an older child; having intercourse with an older child as well as engaging in sexual activity with or towards the youngster; and communicating indecently with an older child.
Harding was sentenced to 15 years behind bars by judge Lord Summers when he returned to the dock on Wednesday.
He was also added to the sex offenders’ register indefinitely and banned from contacting two of his victims for 20 years.
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Detective Inspector Calum Reid said: “Stuart Harding’s actions were reprehensible, and he will now have to face the consequences of his crimes.
“We hope this sentencing brings some sense of closure to those affected.”
Helplines if you are in need of support:
• Rape Crisis Scotland – 08088 01 03 02
• Rape Crisis England and Wales – 0808 500 2222
• Rape Crisis Ireland – 1800 778 888
• Rape Crisis Northern Ireland – 0800 0246 991
