Francis Sanderson, who is also known by the surname Campbell, carried out multiple rapes and sexual assaults over a 13-year period.

The 29-year-old was found guilty of a catalogue of violent and sexual offences on vulnerable females he befriended.

The High Court in Inverness heard how one victim was 14-years-old when she was raped by Sanderson in a public park.

Another was gagged with a sock and tape before being subjected to a serious sexual assault.

Prosecutors from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) told the jury that Sanderson attempted to control his victims through threats and physical violence.

He further pled guilty to assaulting a police officer who was attempting to arrest him. At the High Court in Glasgow Sanderson was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment.

He was also given a five-year sentence extension and will be closely monitored on his release.

National procurator fiscal for High Court sexual offending, Fraser Gibson, said: “Francis Sanderson was a serial abuser of women who damaged the lives of females with whom he came into contact.

“His offending covers most of his adult life. He moved from victim to victim. We are grateful for the courage of the women who came forward to report their experiences and bring this offending to an end.”