A CONVICTED rapist who was formerly from Galashiels has been found dead at Saughton Prison in Edinburgh.

Former worship leader Stephen Charters (57) was convicted last year of nine offences including rape and sexual assault against four victims between November 1984 and October 2015.

Earlier this month at the High Court in Edinburgh, Lady Carmichael imposed an Order for Lifelong Restriction (OLR) on Charters and ruled that he must serve a minimum term of five years.

Charters had already served a five-year jail term imposed on him in 2016 for sex crimes against children.

Police say that the death is not being treated as suspicious.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “On Sunday, June 19, officers were made aware of the death of a male within HMP Edinburgh.

"The death is not being treated as suspicious and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.”