Lars Pederson, 38, raped Alison McAllister, 56, after coming across her at The Forth and Clyde Canal in Maryhill. McAllister was sitting alone and was in a distressed state as she grieved the death of her partner. 

Pederson attacked her and left her on the canal path to go to a friend’s house. Allison’s family reported her missing. He admitted to assaulting and raping her whilst she was intoxicated and incapable of giving or withholding consent. He claimed that he returned to the scene later and he found Ms McAllister dead.  However, Pederson was not charged with Ms McAllister’s death. 

At the High Court in Edinburgh Lord Doherty imposed an Order for Lifelong Restriction on Pederson. He stated that he was in no doubt there was a likelihood he would pose a serious risk of harm to members of the public. 

Brian McConnachie QC, defending, explained that a full risk report had been prepared by an expert who determined that Pedersen was of a high risk. He stated that experts had difficulty in reaching an opinion as to Pedersen’s mental state. 

Mr McConnachie told the court: “In light of the report and the circumstances of this case there is no issue taken to the imposition of an Order for Lifelong Restriction.”

Pederson was placed on the sex offenders’ register for the remainer of his life.