A 25-YEAR-OLD man has been jailed for the rape of three women in Hawick, according to police.

William Rackstraw was sentenced to nine years at the High Court in Airdrie.

In August 2021 a woman told officers that she had been raped and abused.

An investigation followed and two further victims were identified, say police.

One of the women, pregnant at the time of the abuse, lost her baby.

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Detective constable Kelly Bonnyman said what the women endured is “unimaginable”.

“All three women have shown tremendous courage in talking about their experience at the hands of this man,” said detective constable Bonnyman.

“Rackstraw is now behind bars unable to commit any further abuse on women.

“I would encourage anyone who is suffering or who has suffered domestic abuse and violence to contact us in the knowledge that we will do everything in our power to ensure you get justice.”

Nicola Welsh, from Held in Our Hearts charity which supports families following the death of a baby, said: “We will continue to be there for this woman and will do all we can to support her at this devastating time.

“Our doors and hearts are open to anyone bereaved of a baby who wants to talk to others who understand.”