Fife rapist Kyle Beveridge jailed for eight years of abuse

A jury heard how Kyle Beveridge, 28, threatened one of the women that he’d disclose intimate photos of her to others if she didn’t comply with his wishes to have sex with her.

The High Court in Edinburgh also heard how Beveridge also set up a fake account for one of the women on dating app Tinder. 

The female told investigators of how she didn’t have anything to do with the profile which Beveridge set up to obtain another woman for sex.

His youngest victim was aged just 14 when Beveridge started preying on her. 

He preyed on the teenager at locations in Cowdenbeath, and Lochgelly and raped her when she was asleep and unable to provide her consent. 

Beveridge then targeted another two women and raped them at locations in his home town. 

Jurors heard how police learned about Beveridge’s activities and detectives managed to gather enough evidence which they used to bring him to court. 

Beveridge, who spent his trial denying any wrongdoing, was found guilty last month on seven charges of rape and indulging in threatening and abusive behaviour. 

Judge Lord Armstrong heard how he was a first offender. Jurors had earlier heard how he joined the Royal Regiment of Scotland after leaving school - but he was forced to leave the army after sustaining an injury. 

On Wednesday, Beveridge - who was remanded following trial - reappeared before Lord Armstrong for sentencing at the High Court in Edinburgh. 

He observed proceedings via video link as Lord Armstrong imposed a 16 year disposal on him - Beveridge will also be supervised by the authorities for four years following his release from custody. 

Passing sentence, Lord Armstrong said: “These crimes to which you have been convicted of are disturbing and grave. 

“You continue to deny responsibility for your criminal activities. 

“Society will not tolerate such crimes and the court will not flinch from ensuring that those convicted of such crimes be held to account. 

“There is no other appropriate sentence in this case than to impose a custodial disposal. 

“I will impose an extended sentence in this case to provide adequate protection to the public.”

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During proceedings, the jury heard Beveridge deny that he was responsible for harming the women. 

Defence solicitor advocate Jim Wallace asked him: “Did you rape them?”

He replied: “No.”

When Mr Wallace asked him whether he was immature at the time of the crimes, Beveridge replied: “I accept that.”

Jurors were shown a text message that Beveridge had sent one of his victims which was later recovered by detectives tasked with investigating him. 

He told the girl that he’d disclose intimate images of her if she didn’t engage in sexual activity with him. 

The text read: “Don’t believe me hahahaha. Really won’t be losing sleep over it other than to stay up and hear these jokes from the lads - tooo funny.”

The jurors also saw that the message contained crying face laughing emojis.

The court heard how he made negative remarks about the girl’s body.

Jurors heard evidence about how Beveridge set up a TInder account for one of the women which sought other females to “satisfy” him.

The court heard that in later years one of his victims contacted him in a text and said: “I can remember waking up to you having sex with me.”

In his closing speech to jurors, prosecutor Chris Jones said there was enough evidence available to allow them to convict Beveridge of the crimes. 

He said: “The Crown’s position is that there is ample and compelling evidence available to you to do that.”

He described Beveridge’s behaviour towards the women as being “chronic and coercive.” 

He added: “It was to meet his demands for intimate pictures or sexual activity with third parties.”

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Mr Jones also added that Beveridge’s actions were criminal. 

He added: “One of the worst things was I suggest is that he threatened to disclose intimate pictures to others. 

“I invite you to see this as an act of gratuitous cruelty to a young girl.”

On Wendesday, Beveridge had a new solicitor advocate representing him - Gordon Martin. 

Mr Martin told the court that his client was a young man at the time of the offences. He said there was no evidence to show that that he had continued to abuse women. 

He added: “This underlines the fact that he has matured.”

Mr Martin also told the court that Beveridge will spend his time in custody learning about his behaviour. 

He added: “It is his position that he will accept any help that is offered to him so that he can return to the community sooner rather than later.”

Lord Armstrong also passed life long non harassment orders on Beveridge in relation to his victims. 

He added: “You are prevented from contacting them either physically or by electronic means.”

Beveridge was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.