'Controlling abuser' jailed for raping three women

Aaron Carson Swan will serve six years in jail

A man who raped three women, including two on the same night, in the Scottish Borders has been jailed for six years.

Aaron Carson Swan, 39, was found guilty of six charges between 2013 and 2020.

He was labelled "a controlling domestic abuser" during sentencing at the High Court in Inverness.

He was also put on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.

Swan was given an Order for Lifelong Restriction - meaning he'll never be released into the public community without supervision.

Swan, from Roxburghshire, repeatedly contacted one woman by telephone, harassed her and monitored her movements.

He asked relatives for information about her and threatened to harm himself.

Swan was also found guilty of strangling her and pinning her against a car during an incident in July 2019.

The trial saw messages from Swan to one of his victims

He was also convicted of raping two women in April 2013. who were asleep and unable to consent.

He also raped a third woman in February 2020 after she withdrew consent during intercourse.

Swan was convicted of one case of domestic abuse, after abusing a partner with coercive and controlling behaviour.

All three victims have been non-harassment orders, meaning Swan can never contact or go near them.

'Great courage'

Katrina Parkes, Scotland’s Procurator Fiscal for High Court Sexual Offences, praised Swan's victims after the "depravity" they suffered.

She said they showed "great courage and resolve" in coming forward and reporting him to the authorities.

Ms Parkes added: "The ordeals they endured at the hands of this man have weighed heavily and will undoubtedly have a lasting impact.

"Their evidence has ensured he has been held to account for his appalling criminal behaviour."

Police Scotland Det Con Jessica Laycock said she is hopeful the sentencing "provides some measure of closure for the victims".

She said: "Sexual abuse has no place in our society and any reports made to Police Scotland will be robustly investigated.

“We will take action, no matter the timescale.”

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