North Berwick rapist 'to be monitored for life'

A teenage rapist will be monitored for life after carrying out a "terrifying" attack on a young woman, a judge has ruled.

Iain McCarron, from Glasgow, was 15 when he attacked the 18-year-old in North Berwick last summer.

McCarron is one of the youngest offenders to be placed under a Lifelong Restriction Order.

He was jailed for three years after admitting the attack, but will only be freed if the parole board deem it safe.

Judge Lord Malcolm said he recognised the seriousness of imposing such an order on someone so young, but said the gravity of his crime "would be difficult to overstate."

First offender McCarron, now 16, pleaded guilty to seizing his victim off the street and raping her in the grounds of Blenheim House Hotel on 21 July, 2009.

He was on holiday in the East Lothian town with his parents at the time.

He also admitted assaulting a 15-year-old by dragging her into an alley three days before he committed the rape.

Lord Malcolm said: "This was a disgraceful crime which must have been a terrifying ordeal for your victim.

"She was simply walking along the street when out of the blue she was set upon by you.

"You threatened her and put her in a state of terror.

"It would be difficult to overstate the seriousness of your conduct and its impact on the complainer."

Reports prepared for the court put McCarron, who the judge acknowledged had a troubled background, in the high-risk category.

The judge told McCarron: "I recognise the seriousness of imposing a Lifelong Order on one so young and I also appreciate that when you reach maturity the outlook for the future may be more positive.

"However it is my duty to apply the legislation according to its terms."

The three-year sentence was backdated to 30 July last year.