East Lothian man jailed after series of '˜horrifying assaults and rapes'

Charles Cassidy has been jailed for 5 and a half years.

Cassidy was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh and received an Order for Lifelong Restriction.

The 52-year-old had denied the attacks on three women but was found guilty by a jury at Edinburgh High Court in September last year.

Over a 15 year period from 1984 onwards, he carried out the systematic abuse at addresses in Musselburgh and Prestonpans.

Detective Chief Inspector Debbie Forrester of the Domestic Abuse Task Force said: “Cassidy is a dangerous individual who repeatedly attacked these women and caused extreme harm and suffering.

“When we received information about Cassidy’s offending we were able to carry out a detailed investigation and gather evidence which led to his conviction and today’s jail sentence.

“Without the courage of his victims in coming forward and speaking out about their ordeals, we would not have been able to put him before the court so I want to take this opportunity to thank them, I hope that they can now derive some comfort from knowing he will be in prison.

“No-one should suffer such abuse and we will always listen, support and investigate thoroughly any reports that we receive, no matter how long ago the offences took place.

“There is no place for domestic abuse in Scotland and we continue to work hard to bring those responsible to justice.”