A Perth man raped his victim after tying a noose around the neck of his victim until it blacked out. He was sentenced to nearly six years in prison.
John Todd was responsible for the murder of the woman and two more victims in Perth, Angus, and Fife over a period of five years.
Following a trial at Edinburgh’s High Court, Todd, 34, was found guilty on seven counts of rape.
After his release, he will be under surveillance for three more years.
Judge Lady Haldane sentenced him for nine-and-a half years in prison, but stated that he would serve five and ten months after taking into consideration long periods on remand.
She stated that Todd’s background report had made it clear that he was not responsible for his crimes, and that he continued to deny them.
The judge stated that your behavior in relation to each of these women showed a pattern of controlling behavior.
Todd was informed that he would be added to the sex offenders registry indefinitely.
One woman testified that she visited Fife’s barn with Todd, and that there was a rope hanging off a beam.
She claimed Todd had kissed and she said, “I don’t really recall anything after that.”
“All I can remember is waking up with the rope around my neck and my hands tied.
“I had my top on and my bra on, but my pants and pants were below my ankles. I was standing with my hands over my head and the noose around me neck.
According to the 24-year-old, she was sore and Todd was standing in front her pulling his pants up.
Andrew Lamb, QC, Defence Counsel, said Todd came from a difficult family and was taken into care when he was young.
Mr Lamb stated that he has suffered from severe depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
“He admitted that he tried to treat his condition with a variety drugs.”
The court was informed that Todd had been deemed to be at high risk of committing similar offenses in the future.
Det Sgt Lauren O’Neil of Fife division’s sexual assault investigation unit stated after the sentencing that Todd was a predatory, dangerous man who had committed a series of serious crimes against many different women over a long period of time.
“His crimes were uncovered because of the courage shown by the women who spoke out.”
