Renfrew rapist jailed for sex attacks

A young sex attacker who raped a teenage girl has been locked up for four years.

Lochlann Harris preyed on the 15 year-old at a house in Stewarton, Ayrshire on 7th September 2019.

The now 19-year-old went on to sexually assault a young woman in woods in the town 18 months later.

Harris was convicted of the attacks following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow last month before returning for sentencing.

As well as custody, Judge John McCormick also put Harris, now of Renfrew, on the sex offenders list.

The rape occurred after Harris has just turned 16 himself.

Prosecutors stated the attack involved the young victim being pushed causing her to fall onto a bed.

Harris was then on bail when he struck again at Lainshaw Woods in Stewarton on 17th April 2021.

The sexual assault charge stated Harris inappropriately touched this victim.

Geoffrey Forbes, defending, told the sentencing hearing: “While accepting the verdict of the jury, he maintains his denial of the charges.”

The advocate added Harris was a first offender with no pending matters.

Sentencing, Judge McCormick told Harris: “A custodial sentence, you are sensible enough to know, is inevitable.”

“I am also aware of the cumulative effect of sentencing young people of your age…of a sentence for one charge then add on a sentence for a second.

“Having regard all factors, I intend to impose an in cumulo sentence treating it effectively as a course of conduct.

“The appropriate sentence is one of four years.

“I am mitigating that to take account for the reasons mentioned in particular your age.”

“If it had not been for that factor – in particular your age at the time – the sentence would have been substantially higher.”