Aaron Carson Swan was found guilty of six charges including the serious sexual assault of two victims as they slept at a property in the Scottish Borders.

The 39-year-old was also convicted of one charge under Section 1 of the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018 for abusing a partner including coercive and controlling behaviour.

Swan, from Roxburghshire, repeatedly contacted the woman by telephone, harassed her, psychologically manipulated her, monitored her movements, asked relatives for information about her and uttered threats of violence all while threatening to harm himself.

Swan was also found guilty of assaulting the victim by strangling her and pinning her against a car during an incident in July 2019 after initially calling her for help. He was convicted of raping two women who were asleep and therefore unable to consent in April 2013.

He also raped a third woman in February 2020 after she withdrew consent during sexual intercourse.

Today at the High Court in Inverness, Swan was ordered to serve a minimum of six years’ imprisonment.

His name was added to the sex offenders’ register indefinitely with non-harassment orders granted for all parties involved.

Scotland’s Procurator Fiscal for High Court Sexual Offences, Katrina Parkes, said: “The victims of Aaron Carson Swan’s depravity have shown great courage and resolve in coming forward and reporting him to the authorities.

“The ordeals they endured at the hands of this man have weighed heavily and will undoubtedly have a lasting impact.Their evidence has ensured he has been held to account for his appalling criminal behaviour and their bravery has helped protect other women from this dangerous individual.

“Swan has been brought to justice after a thorough investigation by the police and our expert prosecutors. I would urge anyone who has been victim of similar crime to come forward: report it and seek support. The Crown is committed to effectively prosecuting all sexual offenders.”