Sanderson, aged 29, was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment with a further five years extended sentence. His abuse of six women took place over a 13 year time period.

He was convicted of carrying out multiple rape and sexual assaults between 2008 and 2020. One of his victims was only 14 years old when she was raped by Sanderson in a public park.

The court heard in evidence that another victim was gagged with a sock and tape before he carried out a serious sexual assault on her.

He also pled guilty to assaulting a police officer who was attempting to arrest him.

National procurator fiscal for High Court sexual offending, Fraser Gibson stated: 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.”