Serial rapist jailed for catalogue of offences over 43 years

A serial rapist has been jailed for a catalogue of crimes against woman spanning more than 40 years.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard Philip Berry, 60, carried out multiple rapes, attempted rapes and serious assaults on three women from 1980 to 2023.

He was sentenced to 16 years after admitting a series of offences last month.

Police Scotland described Berry, from Methil, Fife, as a "depraved sexual offender".

The court heard Berry began offending when he was 14 and continued committing assaults, rapes and abuse throughout his adult life.

Lord Scott told the sex offender he was a "violent and abusive rapist".

The judge said one woman who provided a victim impact statement described the serious and continued effects of the abuse she sustained at his hands.

She suffers from post traumatic stress disorder and now cannot sleep in a bed.

Lord Scott said: "She felt she was a young mother with no-one to protect her and nowhere to go."

A second victim said Berry caused her physical, psychological and emotional damage.

A third woman said she she now suffered flashbacks and depressive episodes.

Defence counsel Victoria Dow, representing Berry, told the court: "He acknowledges alcohol has ruined not only his life, but the lives of the women."

She added: "He does not remember everything he did because of his significant intoxication, but he accepts it is entirely likely he behaved as he pleaded guilty to."

Lord Scott told Berry, who was placed on the sex offenders register for life, that his drinking did not offer an excuse for his offending.

Det Insp Frank Keegan said: "Berry is a violent and depraved sexual offender.

"These women have been deeply impacted by his actions and I hope this sentence brings them some comfort.

"I want to acknowledge the strength of the women who provided information to police in this case. Berry's conviction is down to them."