A rapist who snatched a schoolgirl from the streets of Dunfermline and repeatedly raped her during a 32-hour ordeal has been given a life sentence.
Mark Armstrong’s victim was said to be “unrecognisable” after the terrifying attack.
The teenager was given nothing to eat and only one drink as she suffered hours of abuse.
She suffered such horrendous facial injuries that officers who had previously released photos of her as part of a missing persons inquiry could not recognise her.
The girl had been returning home from a sports practice session when Armstrong pounced.
The 26-year-old, of Macbeth Road, Dunfermline admitted abducting, assaulting and raping the girl between March 12 and 14 last year.
He also pled guilty to a string of assault and robbery offences committed against women in the Fife town in the days leading up to the attack.
Armstrong has been placed on a lifelong restriction order and must serve at least four years in prison before he can apply for parole.
Detective Chief Inspector Michelle Johnson said: “Mark Armstrong is a depraved individual who targeted his victims and ultimately put one through a terrifying ordeal.
“It is due the courage and the bravery of Armstrong’s 15-year-old victim that he has been brought to justice. It is not an overstatement to say she cracked the case for officers, and as an organisation Police Scotland pays tribute to her maturity and resolve.
“We hope that this sentence will allow Armstrong’s victims, and their families, to move forward and rebuild their lives.”
See Thursday’s Courier for more on this story.