A man has been jailed after being convicted of raping a woman in 2022 – as the woman had earlier dubbed her attacker a ‘beast’ in messages, according to court reports
A vile rapist dubbed ‘a beast’ by his terror-stricken victim forced to flee half-naked into the street screaming for help, has been sentenced for seven years in prison.
The traumatised woman had previously sent desperate messages begging for help before escaping the flat where she endured the horrific attack. Don Webley, 43 and from Mackie Place in Westhill, Aberdeen, pleaded innocence, claiming the sex with the woman at his previous home on Granton Medway in Edinburgh was all consensual. But the High Court jurors in Edinburgh found him guilty this February 2025 for the rape that included brutal ear-licking and clothing-tearing.
Cleared of trying to kill the victim by strangulation, Webley’s life had been marred by tragedy – his brother Marc, aged 38, took a bullet shortly 2023 New Year, reports Edinburgh Live.
After a break to gather reports, the predator was sentenced this Tuesday back at the High Court in Edinburgh. Judge Michael O’Grady KC gave Webley with a seven-year stretch behind bars for his heinous crime. He also said that once Webley’s out, he’ll be under watch for three years and if he slips up, he will be sent straight back to prison.
While giving the sentence, Judge O’Grady said: “Any rape is abhorrent and what we know from the evidence of the aftermath of this attack was that this was deeply distressing and damaging for this particular victim.”
He called his previous crimes “persistent and appalling” and saying the man’s frequent violence would be a danger to society. On Webley’s crime, judge O’Grady blasted him as “cowardly and appalling”.
The court was told about the day of the attack when a man heading to a bakery stumbled upon the victim screaming, begging for someone to “Phone the police.” Courts heard she was half naked and panicked, which led to the man helping her by calling the police.
PC David Parsons was one of the first on the scene, finding the woman curled up scared stiff in a dingy corner of a staircase, hugging her knees, alone in the dark.
He said: “She told me she had been raped and she had run away. She told me she had run away from a flat in that street but didn’t know which one.”
The officer recounted the grim confession: “She told me it was Don Webley and Don Webley had raped her. She told me it happened more than once. She told me she was choked and thought she was going to die.
“She was proper shaken up, could hardly get the words out, what with all the sobbing,” he added.
The shaken woman said to a policewoman that she’d been left on her own with Webley at the flat, after everyone else had left. Her mobile was full of distressed texts begging for an escape.
One message read: “He is a beast.” Police raiding Webley’s home found trainers, tracksuit bottoms, knickers, and the victim’s handbag. After being arrested for rape Webley was added to the sex offenders’ list.
Defence lawyer Marco Guarino said that his client denies everything but respects the jury’s call “as he must do.” Guarino said: “He has indicated he would be willing, prepared and able to take part in any rehabilitative work in a custodial setting.”
He revealed that Webley had previously been employed as deck crew in the North Sea. Judge O’Grady also gave a non-harassment order on Webley, banning him from contacting the victim indefinitely.
Webley was also added to the Sex Offenders Register for life.
If you or somebody you know has been affected by this story, contact Victim Support for free, confidential advice on 08 08 16 89 111 or visit their website,
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