Ayrshire sex offender who took part in gang rape of 15-year-old girl jailed for 12 years

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A persistent Ayrshire sex offender who preyed on vulnerable females during two decades of abuse has been jailed for 12 years.

Hugh Derby, 52, targeted three of his victims when they were asleep and under the influence at the time of his sex attacks. He took part in the gang rape of a 15-year-old girl at a flat in Main Street, in Auchinleck, East Ayrshire, after she was intoxicated with drink and drugs.

A judge told Derby at the High Court in Edinburgh: "You have been convicted by the jury of grave and serious charges."Derby, formerly of Cameron Drive, Auchinleck, had denied a series of charges during an earlier trial but was convicted of four offences of sexual assault, one of sexual activity towards an underage girl and one of indecent assault and rape.He claimed that some victims had consented and that on other occasions the offences did not take place at all.

But judge Thomas Welsh KC said jurors had disbelieved Derby's version of events in his evidence.The judge pointed out that three of those subjected to abuse by Derby were asleep or incapacitated at the time.He said: "You clearly acted in a premeditated and predatory manner, identifying and isolating your victims when they were most vulnerable and unable to resist your approaches."The judge said that one woman was attacked by Derby in 2013 while on a camping expedition at the Leadhills, Dumfriesshire.