A HELENSBURGH rapist who carried out horrific attacks on six women over a 13-year period has been branded a "psychopath" in court.

Offshore worker Ben Slee was sentenced to six years in prison and placed on a lifelong restriction order. for a campaign of terror against the women which included rape, attempted rape and a catalogue or physical and psychological abuse.

Judge Lord Beckett said: “I take account of your limited record of previous convictions and note that you have no previous convictions of significant gravity and none on indictment. The position is very different now. You have been convicted of 29 charges covering the period from 2002-2015.

“Many of these crimes merit severe punishment and you and others must be deterred from committing crimes of violence and sexual violence towards women. In your case, the protection of the public is an important consideration.

“The evidence led in your trial shows that you were readily able to form relationships with women. You could appear charming and considerate before becoming very controlling, often using violence to intimidate them into isolation and submission.

“The author of the risk assessment report analyses your relationships in this way, at page 88, where he states that ‘Mr Slee’s style of relating with women involves subjugation, ownership, control and the application of instrumental, as well as, reactive impulsive violence. He views women as his property and his identity is built on ideas of strength and wealth’.

“The assessment reached by Dr Marshall, using methods approved by the Risk Management Authority, is that you pose a high risk to members of the public at large particularly relating to sexual violent offending and non-sexual violence in relationships.

“This assessment implies that the nature, seriousness and pattern of your behaviour indicates an enduring propensity to seriously endanger the lives, or physical or psychological well-being of members of the public at large; that you have problematic, persistent and pervasive characteristics which are relevant to risk and the potential for change over time and/or with treatment is significantly limited; and that without changes in these characteristics you will continue to pose a risk of serious harm.”