A VIOLENT rapist who targeted women in West Fife for sexual and physical violence for more than a decade has been jailed for 10 years.

Loner John McNab, 54, attacked two victims at addresses in Cowdenbeath, Rosyth and Aberdour and ripped hair from the head of a 74-year-old who he threatened to kill.

A judge told him at the High Court in Edinburgh: "These sexual and violent offences are of considerable gravity. They have had a substantial impact on each of the complainers."

Judge Fiona Tait said each of the victims who gave evidence against McNab at his earlier trial were to be commended.

She said victim impact statements provided by two of them spoke of the effects of his behaviour on them, including nightmares and anxiety.

She acknowledged he has no record of sexual offending but does have previous convictions for assault.

The judge ordered that McNab should be under supervision for a further three years in the community when he will be under licence and can be returned to prison if he breaches its conditions.

McNab had denied a series of charges at his earlier trial but was found guilty of 10 offences - three of rape, four of assault, one of breach of the peace and two of threatening or abusive behaviour - by unanimous verdicts.

His offending spanned a 13-year period, beginning in December 2006 when he attacked and raped a woman at a house in Cowdenbeath.

During the assault he pushed her against a door, pulled down her lower clothing and pushed her against a wall during the rape.

By February 2008 he was perpetrating crimes against a second woman who was subjected to threats, intimidation, violence and repeated rapes at properties in Rosyth and Aberdour.

McNab shouted and swore at her, threatened to kill her and to inflict violence on members of her family. She was punched on the head and struck by a vase hurled by the sex offender.

He raped the woman when she was asleep and incapable of consent and also indecently assaulted and raped her on further occasions.

McNab also assaulted a girl, who was aged 13, when he shouted and swore at her, threatened her with violence and threw cushions at her at an address in Aberdour in 2011.

He carried out a final attack in May 2019 when he assaulted the 74-year-old woman at a house in Cowdenbeath.

He threatened her with violence, threatened to kill her and disconnected a phone to stop her calling for help.

McNab repeatedly punched her on the head and body and grabbed and pulled her by the hair, ripping some of it from her head. The court heard that he continued to deny the offences but recognised that only a significant custodial sentence was appropriate.

Defence solicitor advocate Graeme Brown said McNab had a difficult upbringing and, according to a social worker who prepared a background report, seemed to be a loner.

The judge made non harassment orders banning the violent rapist from contacting or attempting to contact victims for 25 years.

McNab was placed on the sex offenders' register for an indefinite period.