Lanarkshire rapist jailed for a decade
Last updated 26th Feb 2025
A serial sex predator who preyed on four women and a girl has been jailed for 10 years.
Gary Paterson was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow today.
The court heard one was left so traumatised she has become "a recluse". Others remain in fear of Paterson, who moaned he was, instead, the "victim".
The 37 year-old had been convicted of a total of eight charges following an earlier trial.
The crimes occurred between 2011 and 2022 mainly in Motherwell, Lanarkshire.
He raped one woman having initially pounced on her while she was sleeping at a property in the town.
Paterson had also once exposed himself to her while they were in a car.
He raped another of the women who had pretended to be asleep hoping he would leave her alone.
Paterson further pestered her for naked photos.
The attacker sexually assaulted a third female including in a lift. This included being molested, pushed and pinned against a wall.
He also hounded her on social media and would send her "intimate images" of women - some known to her and others who were strangers.
Another of the victims was harassed online. Paterson was further guilty of groping a then young girl and making sexual remarks towards her.
Judge Scott Pattison today told him: "In the victim impact statements, the women speak of the trauma you caused them.
"Their lives have been changed by it. Some feel unsafe and your conduct caused them to feel unsafe.
"Some have difficulty making relationships.
"One said it impacted on her life that they have became a recluse.
"Some speak to severe weight loss and being unable to eat or sleep due to the trauma.
"It says in the report that you believe that you are the victim here - you are not."
Paterson, also of Motherwell, will be supervised for a further three years on his release.
Non-harassment orders were also imposed banning him from approaching or contacting any of the victims.
He was further put on the sex offenders list indefinitely.
Angela Gray KC, defending, said Paterson continues to maintain his innocence.