A former company director who used sex toys during a series of horrifying rapes has been jailed for six years.
Ruairi Murphy, 29, from Dunfermline, told jurors he was “experimenting” with his sexuality when he preyed on three women.
Murphy claimed he had consensual sex with the women but jurors heard how he tied up his victims and subjected them to physical and verbal abuse.
He ignored their pleas for him to stop.
One woman told prosecutor Mark Mohammed of an occasion in May 2015 when Murphy raped her at a house in Dunfermline.
The woman, who is aged 28, said: “He tied me up to the bed using his shoe strings.
“I didn’t want to do it at first because I am not into that type of thing but that’s what he wanted to do.”
He then violated and tortured her with items, despite her begging him to stop.
Interest in pain and bondage
At the High Court in Edinburgh, judge Lady Wise told Murphy – who observed proceedings via video link – prison was inevitable and said he would be further supervised for three years following his release.
She said she had been guided by information gained from statements written by the women.
She also made reference to Murphy’s admission to a court-appointed social worker he is still interested in bondage and sadomasochism.
Lady Wise said: “The statements tell of how the woman have been left with low self esteem, anxiety and fear.
“Your behaviour will have a lasting impact on all of them.
“You also continue to express an interest in bondage and sadomasochism, which contributes to the assessment of risk in this case.
“The sentence I will impose in this case will be an extended one – this is in order to protect the public, in particular young women, from you.”
Tied victim and raped her
Murphy was convicted following a four-day trial in May 2022.
The court heard how the attacks took place at locations in Fife.
Another of Murphy’s victims told of how she was “quite fearful” of him.
The 28-year-old female told Mr Mohammed the rapist climbed on top of her and she could not shift him as he assaulted her.
“I was tightly tied up. I couldn’t do anything,” she said.
Murphy’s third victim told the court of how he intimidated her by calling her names and how he punched and slapped her.
The woman, who is 22, said he got her to tie him up and use sex toys on him.
She said: “He then wanted to have sex and I said I didn’t want to do it.
“He kept pushing. Eventually I gave in and did it.”
‘Experimenting’
Murphy told the court he had his own company and worked as a web developer.
He told defence advocate Ronnie Renucci QC the sex was consensual.
Murphy told the court: “We were experimenting.”
He later told Mr Mohammed: “I would never be physically aggressive towards a female.”
On Tuesday, Mr Renucci told Lady Wise Murphy, who was remanded in custody earlier this year, still denies any wrongdoing.
He added: “He is determined that he will be make constructive use of his time in custody.
“He is determined that he will be able to get his life back upon his release from custody.
“This is the first time he has been in custody.
“He has not found it easy.
“Prison is not supposed to be pleasant but he has found it particularly hard.”
Lady Wise also placed Murphy on the Sex Offenders Register for life.
