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A man has today, Friday, 17 April, 2026, been sentenced to 12 years in prison for a series of serious sexual and violent offences towards women.
Damien Harrier, 31, was convicted of nine offences following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh. Today at the same court he was sentenced and placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely.
Harrier committed the offences, which included five counts of rape, against three women between 2018 and 2023.
One of the women met Harrier in his capacity as a personal trainer.
The trial heard that Harrier assaulted one of the women by grabbing her neck, restricting her breathing.
Harrier was the subject of a proactive investigation which was carried out by specialist detectives in 2023. He was subsequently charged with the offences in July 2023.
Detective Sergeant Kelly Paton said:
"Harrier abused these women both physically and emotionally and has been convicted of serious offences.
"I'd like to thank the women who engaged with police and told us what had happened to them. With their support we were able to bring this case before a court who ultimately found Harrier guilty of horrific abuse.
"Police Scotland will always thoroughly investigate, and we are here to listen and support victims. Anyone who is a victim of abuse or believes they know someone who may be a victim, please contact us or relevant support agencies."