Fife physiotherapist jailed for nine years for sexually assaulting four women

A Fife physiotherapist who committed a series of sex assaults on four women has been jailed for nine years.

Derek Adams, 59, carried out the attacks over a 20 year period in Fife, West Lothian and Glasgow.

Adams, from Dunfermline, was convicted of 12 offences including two rapes, an attempted rape and an indecent assault. He was also found guilty of physically assaulting four women and two children, including a two-year-old girl.

Adams was further convicted of threatening or abusive behaviour towards one woman.

Following the trial at the High Court in Edinburgh, Lady Carmichael told Adams that the only sentence available to her was custody. Additionally, he is to be supervised for three years following his release.

She also made an indefinite non harassment order, preventing Adams from contacting or communicating with one of his victims.

Lady Carmichael said: “You appear as a first offender and I accept you have been a productive member of society outside the context of your offending. It is offending that has had significant effects on the complainers.

“The picture with which I am presented in the Criminal Justice social work report is of someone who does not recognise he has done anything wrong and continues to blame the complainers.”

Although Adams was convicted last month, sentence had been deferred for the court to obtain reports about his background.

Adams’ offending began in 1985 in Clarkston, Glasgow, where when he was violent towards one woman before attempting to rape another woman between 1989 and 1990.

He then carried out a sexual assault on another woman at a house in Winchburgh, West Lothian, in 1996.

Prosecutor Alan Cameron told jurors that the evidence produced a clear picture of a “bullying and controlling man” who was prepared to force women into sexual activity when the conditions were right.

Defence advocate Stephen O’Rourke QC said that Adams had been convicted of “very serious matters” and it was clear that a lengthy prison sentence was inevitable.

He added Adams wanted to participate in programmes which would reduce the risk he presented.

Picture (c) Police Scotland.