Life Sentence for Violent Rapist in the Highlands
A violent rapist who assaulted three women in the Highlands over a span of 30 years has been sentenced to life imprisonment.
Bruce Buchanan, aged 61, denied the allegations but was found guilty of seven offences, including choking his victims and threatening one woman while armed with a knife.
His criminal activity began in June 1986 and continued until June 2017, during which time he raped one woman three times.
The trial judge highlighted a particularly disturbing aspect of the case: Buchanan's repeated tendency to choke or asphyxiate his victims during the assaults, with one victim fearing for her life.
Lord Fairley told Buchanan he had no other option but to impose an order for lifelong restriction on him.
Under this type of sentence, the judge sets a minimum term to be served in prison, after which parole authorities determine if and when the offender may be released.
Warning: This story contains details that some readers may find distressing.
Details of the Offences
The court heard that Buchanan attacked the first victim in Inverness multiple times between June 1986 and December 1987.
During this period, he raped the woman twice. His behaviour included shouting, swearing, threatening conduct, pinning her against a wall, and grabbing her face.
On other occasions up to 2004, Buchanan punched and threatened the woman, repeatedly kicked her body, shook her, and gripped her by the throat.
In June 2004, he escalated his violence by punching her head and body, placing a pillow over her face and pressing it down, squeezing her throat, and pressing his thumbs into her eyes.
He forced his hand into her mouth and raped her.
The second victim was attacked on various occasions between November 2008 and June 2009.
Buchanan pushed her, causing her to hit a fireplace. He grabbed her, forced her to the ground, squeezed her nose, and issued threats.
The third victim was assaulted between April 2016 and June 2017. Buchanan struck her head and body, pushed and threw her, and seized her by the throat.
Following trial, Buchanan was convicted of seven charges: two counts of rape, one count of rape and assault to severe injury and danger of life, and four counts of assault.
'Negative Attitudes Towards Women'
Before sentencing, a risk assessor prepared a report on Buchanan's behaviour to assist the court.
Lord Fairley said the report noted that Buchanan had "attitudes that condone intimate partner violence, negative attitudes towards women, entitlement, lack of responsibility, lack of insight or self-awareness, and possible sexual preoccupation".
It also said he displayed problems with emotional management, chronic low self-esteem, jealousy, paranoia, negative attitudes in relationships and "the need to control those close to you".
Buchanan was sentenced to a minimum of five years in prison but will only be released if the parole board is satisfied he no longer poses a risk to public safety.
As Lord Fairley delivered the sentence at the High Court in Edinburgh, he also issued non-harassment orders preventing Buchanan from contacting his victims again.
Lord Fairley said: "I emphasise that this is no more than a minimum period that you must serve before the Parole Board can consider your case.
It certainly does not signify that you are likely to be released at that stage or indeed ever. That, as I have said, will be for others to decide."
Buchanan was also placed on the sex offenders register for life.
