Man jailed for rape and attempted murder of woman in Falkirk

28 May 2019, 14:04 | Updated: 28 May 2019, 17:11

A man who raped a woman as he tried to kill her in a hotel room in Falkirk has today, Tuesday 28 May, been jailed.

At the High Court in Glasgow Ian Lightbody was sentenced to 13 years in prison for the attack, which took place at the MacDonald Inchyra Hotel and Spa on 21st April 2018.

Lightbody was within a room with the 31-year-old woman when he repeatedly struck her to the head and body with a glass bottle and tried to restrict her breathing.

The 39-year-old also carried out a serious sexual assault on the same woman during this incident.

Lightbody was charged in connection with these offences on 25th April 2018 and subsequently pled guilty to attempted murder and was found guilty of rape on 1st May 2019.

Detective Inspector Yvonne O'Rourke from the Forth Valley Divisional Rape Investigation Unit said: "Ian Lightbody demonstrated horrific levels of physical and sexual violence towards the woman within the hotel room and left her with a number of physical and emotional scars as a result.

"He has shown himself to be a dangerous and callous individual and thanks to the testimony of the woman, coupled with the evidence gathered during our investigation, he will now serve a custodial sentence for his crimes.

"Police Scotland remains committed to bringing perpetrators of sexual violence to justice and working with our relevant partners to offer support and assistance to anyone affected by crimes of this nature."