Serial rapist with 'propensity' for choking jailed for life

A violent rapist who abused three women in the Highlands over the course of 30 years has been jailed for life.

Bruce Buchanan, 61, denied his crimes but was convicted of seven offences including choking his victims and threatening one woman while armed with a knife.

His offending began in June 1986 and continued until June 2017, during which he raped one woman three times.

The trial judge said that a most troubling aspect of the evidence was Buchanan's propensity to choke or asphyxiate victims during the violence, one of whom feared she would die.

Lord Fairley told Buchanan he had no other option but to impose an order for lifelong restriction on him.

Under such a sentence the judge fixes a minimum term to be served in jail but it is then left to parole authorities to decide when, if ever, they should be released.

This story contains details which some readers may find distressing.

The court heard how Buchanan attacked the first victim in Inverness between June 1986 and December the following year on several occasions.

He raped the woman twice during that period. He also shouted and swore, behaved in a threatening way, pinned her to a wall and grabbed her face.

On other occasions up until 2004, Buchanan punched and threatened the woman, repeatedly kicked her on the body, shook her and gripped her by the throat.

In June 2004, he punched her on the head and body, put a pillow over her face and pressed it into her, squeezed her throat and pressed his thumbs into her eyes.

He forced his hand into her mouth and raped her.

Buchanan attacked the second victim on various occasions between November 2008 and June the following year.

He pushed the woman and she hit a fireplace. He grabbed her, forced her to the ground and squeezed her nose as he threatened her.

Buchanan attacked the third woman between April 2016 and June 2017. He struck her on the head and body, pushed and threw her and seized her by the throat.

Following a trial, he was convicted of seven charges - two of rape, one of rape and assault to severe injury and danger of life, and four of assault.

Prior to sentencing, a risk assessor prepared a report on Buchanan's behaviour to assist the court.

Lord Fairley said the report noted that Buchanan had "attitudes that condone intimate partner violence, negative attitudes towards women, entitlement, lack of responsibility, lack of insight or self-awareness, and possible sexual preoccupation".

It also said he displayed problems with emotional management, chronic low self-esteem, jealousy, paranoia, negative attitudes in relationships and "the need to control those close to you".

Buchanan was given a minimum of five years in jail but will only be released if the parole board is satisfied he longer no poses a risk to public safety.

As Lord Fairley delivered the sentence at the High Court in Edinburgh, he also passed non-harassment orders which prevent Buchanan from contacting his victims again.

Lord Fairley said: "I emphasise that this is no more than a minimum period that you must serve before the Parole Board can consider your case.

"It certainly does not signify that you are likely to be released at that stage or indeed ever. That, as I have said, will be for others to decide."

Buchanan was also placed on the sex offenders register for life.

Following his sentencing, Police Scotland said Buchanan was arrested on 4 February 2021 following an investigation by officers after his victims came forward.

Det Insp Gordon Patullo said: "Buchanan is an abusive individual who showed no remorse for his violent and abusive behaviour against these women.

"I would like to commend the women for their strength in coming forward.

"Their information was essential in helping us build the case against Buchanan, and I hope this outcome provides them with some sense of closure."