How an Irish rapist committed grisly murder in Scotland

Serial sexual offender has become a target in prison, named ‘beast’ by fellow inmates

KATE HICKEY,

IrishCentral Editor

Published Tuesday, June 7, 2011, 8:32 AM

Updated Tuesday, June 7, 2011, 10:25 AM

Larger Text

E-mail

5 Comments

Patrick Rae - sentenced to life in prison

Photo by Google Images

An Irish sex offender has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the rape and murder of a mother-of-three in Scotland. Authorities are now examining how this repeat offender eluded border controls to murder this woman in northern Scotland.

The serial sex offender Patrick Rae from County Longford managed to avoid border controls. The 41-year-old has 13 previous convictions including two rapes.

Authorities in Ireland had issued two warrants for his arrest before he killed Mary McLaren.

A spokesperson from the Scottish Government said “This was an extremely disturbing case, and our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time…Such crimes are rare, but given the circumstances surrounding it, a significant case review is now underway, led by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS).”

Scottish TV reports that in 1997 Rae was jailed for seven years for raping a woman in his home town in Longford. He was released in 2002.

In April 2008 Rae was charged in Ireland with sexually assaulting a woman in Dublin. He failed to inform the Irish authorities when he changed his address.

------------------

Murdered rapist’s brother speaks out over ‘Silence of the Lambs’ killing

Kidnapping crime at a high in Ireland, new figures show

------------------

The criminal changed the spelling of his name from Rea to Rae when he moved to Scotland. Rae had been staying at a Traveller’s halting site in Aberdeenshire before moving into an apartment in Arbroath, Angus, with his Scottish girlfriend.

With hours of meeting McLaren in Fat Sam’s nightclub Rae raped and strangled her. He dumped her body in the undergrowth at a rotary in the city. CCTV capture Rae and McLaren leaving the niteclub together.

On Friday Rae was found guilty by a majority verdict. The prosecutors called it a horrific attack.

The judge, Lord Tyre, said Rae had shown no compassion for his victim. He said “You preyed on a woman who . . . by all accounts was already the worse for drink. You viciously raped and strangled her, leaving her body to be found many days later.”

The family impact statement stated “Today’s verdict does not bring Mary back to us. It doesn’t take away the pain or the grief that we feel for our loss of Mary. No sentence will stop the nightmares that we all have thinking about how Mary must have suffered at the hands of this man.

“We are thankful of the decision reached by the jury today as it means this man will face the consequences of taking Mary from us.”

Within 24 hours of entering prison Rae was attacked by a fellow inmate. The inmate slipped into his cell and “slapped him around” according to the Evening Telegraph. He is understood to be a target for all his fellow prisoner who consider him a “beast”.

Nster.com

E-mail

5 Comments

See all comments

Chiefjustice | Jun 09, 2011, 09:02 AM EDT

While not in favor of the Death Penalty. I would have not have had a problem with this defendant. It's much more humain, than Life w/out parole in solitary.

Report abuse

John5319 | Jun 08, 2011, 03:24 PM EDT

The interesting note to all this is the terms "Authorities are now examining how this repeat offender eluded border controls ..." WHAT CONTROLS ???? You lemmings really believed that he would TELL the authorities that he moved? Why would he do that folks, HE WAS ALREADY A CRIMINAL !! Criminals are NOT honest, they are criminals by definition ... they violate laws. Those without reason is a government that is irresponsible to the safety of the citizenry ???? I'd say the only responsible government would be for this pervert of depravity to face a firing squad, and not the 3 good meals every day for the rest of HIS Life behind bars. Bend over, for the public just got shafted again, for they will pay for it all !!

Report abuse

badolan | Jun 07, 2011, 09:53 PM EDT

You might reconsider the death penalty for some cases.

Report abuse

mamaginnty | Jun 07, 2011, 06:34 PM EDT

I do not understand why they say...life imprisonment. He won't be held for the rest of his life, more than likely he will be out in ten to 15 years, if he lives that long. Prisoners have a law unto themselves when it comes rape or child abuse.

Report abuse

cillowen | Jun 07, 2011, 05:25 PM EDT

why he's not planted has to do with euros sob sister laws.

Report abuse