‘Manipulative’ Orkney sex offender jailed for 15 years

A “manipulative” serial sex offender has been jailed for 15 years for a campaign of abuse involving women and girls in Orkney.

Stuart Harding, 35, committed sex crimes against three women and two children.

Harding, of Birsay, denied a series of charges during an earlier trial at the High Court in Edinburgh, but was found guilty of 12 offences, including five or rape and two of attempted rape.

Judge Lord Summers said he had been convicted of a series of serious sexual crimes.

Harding began his offending in 2012 when he assaulted and raped a woman at a property in Kirkwall.

He went on to subject a second woman to rapes in 2015. Harding attacked the third woman in 2016.

He sexually assaulted and repeatedly tried to rape a 12-year-old schoolgirl at a car park near a beach.

Harding also provided another girl, who was aged 15, with alcohol and had sex with the underage victim.

Advocate depute Catriona MacLeod, prosecuting, told jurors during Harding’s trial that there was “clear and compelling evidence” of his guilt.

Defence solicitor advocate Iain McSporran KC told the court that Harding continued to deny the offences.

He said: “He very firmly believes he has suffered a miscarriage of justice.”

Harding, who followed the sentencing through a TV link from prison, was told that he would also be placed on the sex offenders register for an indefinite period.

Katrina Parkes, Procurator Fiscal for High Court Sexual Offences, said: “Stuart Harding is a manipulative sexual predator who moved from victim to victim.

“His serial offending is likely to have inflicted unimaginable trauma and those affected must be commended for sharing their experiences.

“Their bravery has ensured that Harding has now been held accountable while also protecting other women and girls from his depraved behaviour.”

She added: “I would urge any victim of similar crime to report it. You will be listened to and supported as we use every tool available in seeking justice.”

Det Insp Calum Reid, of Police Scotland, added: “Stuart Harding’s actions were reprehensible.”