Midlothian rapist handed life sentence

Keith Stevenson, has been sentenced to 5 years in jail and an Order of Lifelong Restriction at the High Court in Glasgow. Picture; contributed

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Keith Stevenson pounced on the terrified woman as she was about to leave his home in Gorebridge, Midlothian in March last year.

A jury heard how the 51 year-old pretended she was pregnant in a bid to make him stop – but he told her to shut up.

Stevenson was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow. Picture, John Devlin

Stevenson was convicted of assault and rape at a trial earlier this year.

It emerged the 40 year-old already had a lengthy history of violence including a previous six-year jail term.

Lord Kinclaven today hit Stevenson with an Order for Lifelong Restriction at the High Court in Glasgow.

He also told the sex offender – deemed a “high risk” - that he must serve a minimum five years behind bars.

The judge said: “You subjected the victim to a terrifying and serious assault and rape.

“Her whole life was turned upside down.”

Stevenson – who previously yelled “wahey” after being convicted at his trial – showed no emotion as he was lead to the cells.

The victim was attacked while inspecting a number of properties in Midlothian. She did not know Stevenson.

Recalling her ordeal, she said: “He grabbed me from behind by my neck. He told me that I wasn’t going anywhere.

“He said ‘shut up’ and ‘just be a good girl’. He said it would be all over in 10 minutes. He told me not to go for my phone.

“I was just shocked. I then said ‘please let me go. I’m pregnant. I need to go to the hospital. I have an appointment. I need to go. He told me to shut up.”

The woman was then dragged into a bedroom as Stevenson threatened to kill her.

She told a jury: “I knew it was do or die. I started kicking him. I started screaming. He put his hand in my mouth. He said: ‘shut up, shut up’

“I then bit down on his finger. He said: ‘It should not have happened like that’.”

Stevenson had denied the allegations.

It was revealed that he had been jailed nine times in the past.

He was locked up in the late 90s for six years for serious assault. He was freed early before being handed an extended seven year term for violence in 2002.

Stevenson was latterly jailed for 30 months in 2011 for having a knife.

Detective Inspector Scott Anderson said: “Keith Stevenson preyed on this woman who simply turned up at his house to do her job.

“The victim bravely came forward to police shortly after the incident, which enabled us to react quickly to gather enough evidence to trace and detain Stevenson.

“Police Scotland treats all reports of sexual crime with the utmost seriousness and we will investigate to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.”