A convicted rapist who terrified two young women and threatened to kill them has been jailed for three years.
Registered sex offender Stephen Stewart, who was jailed for eight-and-a-half years in 2005 for rape, was found guilty by a jury at Inverness Sheriff Court of breaking the terms of a court order banning him from approaching unaccompanied women at their homes.
The court heard that on June 18 and 20 this year he visited the homes of two female neighbours late at night.
And in a third incident a few days later, the court was told he ripped off his shirt while arguing with a man in his garden and shouted and swore at his female neighbours, who were watching the disturbance.
Stewart was also convicted following a two-day trial of behaving in a threatening manner towards the two women and police after he was arrested and taken to a police station.
Sentencing the 46-year-old, formerly of Bridgeview Drive, Inverness, Sheriff Margaret Neilson praised the two women who gave evidence against Stewart.
She said: “It must have been a very frightening experience for the two young ladies and I will commend them for coming to court to give evidence.”
She told Stewart: “You have an appalling record, including two at High Court level – one for rape.
“You were fully aware of the conditions imposed upon you. Sex Offenders Protection Orders are put in place for a reason – to protect the public.”
Sentence was backdated to June 26 when he was remanded in Glasgow’s Barlinnie Prison.
Questioned by defence lawyer David Frew, Stewart denied being at the women’s doors and claimed the shouting and swearing was directed at a friend with whom he was arguing about World Cup football results in his garden.
He said: “I can’t remember doing it because I was very drunk. But there was no motive for me to do it. I never went to their doors on those two nights. I was at the gym. I know that under my order, I can’t break my conditions by approaching a female who is alone.
“I don’t remember having a carry-on in the police station either but if I did, I apologise. I am trying to turn my life around and look after my elderly and frail mother. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life in prison.”
