CRAIG MORRISON SENTENCED IN EDINBURGH FOR RAPE AND VIOLENCE AGAINST VICTIM
At the High Court in Edinburgh today, the sentencing of Craig Morrison took place before Lady Wise, who handed down a severe punishment for his heinous crimes.Morrison was convicted on multiple charges, including rape, assault, and threatening behaviour, all of which stemmed from a long history of violent and abusive conduct towards his victim.
Lady Wise emphasized the gravity of Morrison’s actions, stating: “Craig Morrison, you were convicted by the jury of all 6 charges before them.
These ranged from single instances of behaving in an abusive or threatening manner to serious physical assaults and rapes of your victim over a period of many years.
The charges were all related in that you perpetrated a very long course of violent and abusive conduct on the complainer.” She detailed the brutality inflicted upon the victim, recounting how Morrison threw household items at her, punched and kicked her, struck her on the head, and even threw a door handle at her.
The most severe assault involved Morrison turning her upside down and striking her head on the floor, an act that resulted in her sustaining a fracture to her spine.
Over the years, Morrison’s alcohol-fueled episodes of violence escalated to include rape, with the victim providing a compelling account of being repeatedly forced into sexual acts following threats or violence.
It was evident that Morrison’s behaviour instilled a climate of terror and control, leaving lasting scars on his victim.
The victim eventually confronted Morrison in the presence of a witness about the rapes, an act that marked a significant moment of resistance.
Despite the cessation of the rapes, the emotional and physical impact on her persisted, illustrating the profound and enduring trauma caused by Morrison’s actions.
His violent, degrading, and controlling behaviour not only affected her but also impacted others who were present during some of these episodes, exposing them to Morrison’s aggression and intimidation.
Throughout the proceedings, Morrison continued to deny responsibility for the most serious offences, offering only limited admissions regarding some threats.
The court noted that Morrison’s pattern of violence was often exacerbated by alcohol consumption, which impaired his ability to control his temper and contributed to the atmosphere of fear he created.
His history includes a previous assault conviction with a domestic aggravation, which post-dates the current offences, indicating a troubling pattern of violent behaviour.
Furthermore, Morrison breached a court order that prohibited him from contacting his victim, demonstrating a blatant disregard for legal restrictions.
The court considered all submissions, including those from Morrison’s legal representative, Mr.
Mackenzie.
The judge acknowledged that the rapes occurred decades ago, but emphasized that this did not diminish the seriousness of the crimes.
The criminal justice social enquiry report confirmed Morrison’s continued denial of responsibility for the rapes and his tendency to blame the victim, claiming she instigated some of the violence.
The jury’s verdict, however, clearly rejected Morrison’s account.
At 62 years old, Morrison was considered a mature adult during most of his offending.
Although he had no prior custodial sentences, the severity of his convictions necessitated a significant prison term.
Lady Wise explained that the sentence was intended to serve as punishment, reflect society’s disapproval, and underscore the seriousness of his conduct.
She clarified that an extended sentence was not deemed appropriate in this case.
Consequently, Morrison was sentenced to a total of 10 years and six months in prison, with the sentence backdated to 19 December 2023, when he was remanded in custody.
This combined sentence covers charges 1 through 5.
Additionally, he received a concurrent four-month sentence on charge 6.
Morrison is also subject to indefinite notification requirements under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, and his name has been added to the register of individuals deemed unsuitable to work with vulnerable groups, reflecting the ongoing risk he poses to society.
