'I'll show you rape' says man on bail for sex attack on ex-lover who then killed herself

A man who raped his ex-girlfriend days after being bailed for another sex attack on her has been jailed after a harrowing letter was found when she took her own life.

Ryan Graham, from Irvine, Ayrshire, has been jailed for 10 years after he was found guilty of sexually assaulting the 34-year-old woman at a house in Irvine on 8 March.

The 27-year-old attacked the woman during an argument where he kicked her and threw a torch at her before she sought help from a couple walking outside the house.

The woman gave an interview to police and Graham was arrested and granted bail with conditions not to go near her. However the defendant returned and violently raped his victim at knife-point, the court heard.

A jury was told how while the police investigation was taking place the woman, who remains anonymous due to legal restrictions, took her own life.

A letter describing the knife-point rape was discovered in the victim's home after her death, which was discovered by her family.

Graham had denied the charges at the High Court in Glasgow but he was convicted of rape, violent and sexual assault, and assault to injury.

The defendant had argued that anything that may have happened between the pair on the day of rape, was consensual, and denied the first assault took place in a police interview saying "I'm not a beast".

Sean Murphy QC jailed Graham for a total of 10 years for his crimes, saying according to Daily Record: "You have been convicted by the jury of what can only be descried as three appalling offences, committed against the complainer who was very vulnerable for various reasons."

PC Fiona Lawrie read a statement given to police by Graham's victim concerning the first sex attack: "Ryan then pulled my top up to my arms covering my head, I was crying and telling him 'what you're doing is rape'".

The heartbreaking letter revealed that the pair had bumped into each other and Graham confronted her, trying to make her apologise about her reporting the incident to police.

The court heard how Graham pulled out a small knife and told her "getting me done with a rape charge, I'll show you rape".

STV reported that Defence QC Donald Findlay said it was a breach of his client's human rights as cross examination of the victim was not possible.

Findlay added that there was no indication when the letter was written and told the court Graham is still grieving for his ex-partner and maintains his innocence.