Greenock rapist appeals against six-year prison sentence

Stuart McIntyre was found guilty by a jury of attacking the victim – who was about half his age – at his own address in the city in May 2019.

McIntyre, 56, was sentenced to six years in prison, suspended for two years, following a Supreme Court trial.

He was also placed on the sex offenders register for an indefinite period.

Stuart McIntyre (Image: Facebook)

However, he has now applied for a reduction in his prison sentence.

An appeal is due to be heard next week by two judges at the High Court in Edinburgh.

The telegraph spoke to the victim in April after McIntyre was jailed. The woman described the punishment as a “serious slap in the face.”

The sentence was retroactively dated to December 2022, meaning McIntyre may have to spend less time behind bars than was required to complete the trial.

READ MORE: “A serious slap in the face”: Woman speaks out after Greenock rapist is arrested

The woman told the Tele at the time: “When I heard the verdict, I cried because that was all he got for the trauma I had been through.

“That wasn't a fair amount. I understand that I may never consider anything fair, but less time than I spent waiting for the verdict? I just can't get over that.

“In my eyes, after everything I went through afterwards, that was a serious slap in the face.”

The victim stated that she was in an “absolute state” after the severe sexual assault and reported the incident when bruises appeared on her legs.

She said that as a result of this horrific experience, she was “so mentally depressed” that she attempted to take her own life in the months that followed.

Despite the woman's recorded testimony and the jury's verdict, McIntyre never admitted guilt.

The woman stressed the long-term impact on her and her family, saying: “Yes, murder is different because you are taking someone's life.”

“But when you rape someone, you destroy them for life. They have to live with that.”

The appeal hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, September 10.