A Fife stalker who throttled a woman and sexually abused her after subjecting her to a campaign of control and violence has been jailed for eight years.
Sean Burns accessed his victim’s bank, online shopping and PayPal accounts after targeting her for prolonged, abusive behaviour.
Judge Lord Braid ordered the sex offender be monitored for a further three-year period and warned if he breached licence conditions during that period he would be liable to be recalled to prison.
Roughcaster Burns, who followed the sentencing via a TV link to prison, was told he will be placed on the Sex Offenders Register for an indeterminate period.
‘Psychological and emotional harm’
The judge said he had treated the woman’s bank account as his own.
He said a background report showed Burns continued to deny the majority of the offending of which he was convicted after a trial.
He told the 32-year-old at the High Court in Edinburgh: “The seriousness of your offending behaviour escalated over time.”
“You have no insight into the effects of your abusive and controlling behaviour.
“Not surprisingly, your conduct has, on the complainer’s evidence and according to her victim impact statement, caused considerable psychological and emotional harm to her.”
Lord Braid pointed out although Burns has 18 previous convictions, involving 20 offences, including assault and drugs crimes, he has never previously served a jail sentence.
Abuse lasted months
Burns, formerly of Dunearn Drive, Kirkcaldy, was found guilty of two offences of stalking the woman and engaging in a course of abusive behaviour towards her between 2019 and 2020 at an address in Glenrothes.
The offences included continuing to have sex with her after she withdrew consent.
He shouted and swore at his victim and subjected her to derogatory remarks aimed at belittling her.
He sent her abusive text messages and destroyed property.
The woman was also kicked and dragged by the hair and on one occasion he compressed her neck, restricting her breathing.
Some of the abuse was in the presence of children.
‘Adverse childhood experiences’ blamed
Defence solicitor advocate Gordon Martin said Burns was brought up in difficult circumstances.
“He is someone who was taken into care and had a history of foster care from the age of nine months.
“He had in excess of 20 placements.
“Clearly these adverse childhood experiences are something that has marked his life as an adult as well.”
Mr Martin said: “In custody he will be able to address anger management and substance abuse problems, if they still exist.”
He pointed out Burns had a record of working and set up a business.
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