Description
A violent Ayrshire rapist, William Byrne, 45, is awaiting sentence for abusing two former partners, leaving them "too afraid to say no."
At the High Court in Glasgow on September 11, Byrne, an inmate at HMP Kilmarnock, pleaded guilty to six charges—three rapes and three assaults. Prosecutors accepted not guilty pleas to 21 further allegations.
The first victim, known to Byrne for years, initially described him as "charming" with the pair having "a great time." His behavior "changed" weeks later.
In July 2018, he "made her have sex" in a car, with such incidents said to have "happened a lot." Another time, he awoke her by lunging with a pillow, pressing it into her face "using his body weight" while shouting "go on, scream, scream." She escaped to the bathroom and fled.
During an argument over her phone that month, Byrne returned with an 18-inch metal pole, threatening to "break her shins" before saying "f**k it" and aiming two blows at her legs.
"She would regularly have sex with him to avoid arguments," the advocate depute said. "She knew if she didn’t he could become violent. She felt coerced to have sex during the relationship."
She felt "manipulated" into sexual acts, often staying awake for his early-morning returns by setting alarms, believing "this would help make things better." At one point, she "felt she had lost all feeling of self-worth."
The final rape occurred in October 2019, post-breakup, when she felt "too afraid to say no." Offenses happened in Irvine and Kilmarnock.
The second victim endured similar violence in Kilmarnock. Byrne hit her with a can, pulled her onto a bed, repeatedly slammed her head against the headboard, punched her face, then held a pillow over it, shouting "just shut up" until she stopped screaming.
He also lit a candle and poured wax into her hair. In another incident, he threatened her with a bread knife, cutting her back, then leaned over her on the bed telling her to be quiet. He made a "large cut" on her leg, leaving a permanent scar, before "tuning out" and apologizing.
Byrne's defense noted prior custody time, including for domestic offenses against one victim in 2021.
Lord Renucci deferred sentencing until later this year, remanding Byrne in custody and adding him to the sex offenders register.