Man who choked and raped vulnerable woman in woods is jailed

A man who choked a vulnerable woman moments before raping her has been jailed for six years.

James Weir, 40, pounced on his victim while the pair walked through woods in Larkhall, South Lanarkshire, on 17 August 2020.

During a trial at the High Court in Lanark, jurors heard how Weir forced the woman to the ground and forced her to remove her clothing. He then placed his hands around her throat and compressed it before raping her.

Weir, of Wishaw, was found guilty last month and was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh on Tuesday via video link from prison.

Defence advocate Iain Smith asked Lord Summers to be as lenient as he could be in the circumstances.

He added: “I invite your lordship to impose a sentence which is appropriate for the offence.”

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Passing sentence, the judge told Weir: “I have heard all that has been said in mitigation by Mr Smith and I have taken it all into account.

“However, you have been convicted of a very serious offence.

“I have taken account of the vulnerability of your victim and I have decided that a sentence of six years is the most appropriate sentence.”

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