Highland athlete Inverness Rapist Daniel McFarlane has been sentenced to five years in prison after being found guilty of raping a young woman.
Former medical student Daniel McFarlane targeted the victim at her flat in Finnieston, Glasgow.
The 23-year-old, affiliated with Ross County Athletics Club, called a friend to confess to having committed “despicable things,” thereafter attempting to persuade him to erase the texts.
Daniel McFarlane, currently residing in Inverness, refuted the allegations, asserting that any purported admission of guilt was “false”.
He was convicted of two counts of rape and attempting to obstruct justice after a trial at the High Court in Glasgow last month.
During today’s sentencing, Judge Lord Scott informed Daniel McFarlane that his age contributed to the imposition of a reduced term.
He remarked, “What renders your behaviour even more reprehensible and perplexing is that you had a nurturing upbringing and were a valuable contributor to society with a promising future before you.”
I have reviewed the victim impact statement detailing the circumstances at the time, the subsequent effects on her, and her attempted suicide.
“The extent of your long-term damage remains uncertain but may continue to be considerable for the victim.”
“Considering all the circumstances of this case and the severity of the charges, a custodial sentence is warranted.”
He was placed on the sex offenders registry for an extended duration.
The High Court heard the attacks occurred between December 2017 and February 2018.
First offender Daniel McFarlane – also a talented amateur athlete – once attacked his victim after returning from a competition in Sheffield, Yorkshire.
The young woman went on to state to the attacker: “You cannot keep doing stuff like that.
“I cannot keep forgiving you for things that you have done to me.”
Daniel McFarlane was later confronted by a mutual friend in a series of messages.
In one, he claimed: “I did not rape her again”.
Daniel McFarlane then further said he knew he had “done things that are despicable”.
His lawyer Lorenzo Alonzi asked: “Why did you say that?”
He replied: “I was just trying to pacify them. They (victim and friend) were saying ‘you are a terrible person’ and I was saying ‘yes, just leave me alone’.”
Daniel McFarlane later told jurors that he “regretted” sending such messages as he was “admitting to things that he did not do”.
He insisted he did not rape the victim and asked for messages to be deleted as they were “false admissions”.
Daniel McFarlane was initially granted bail after the verdict.
Mr Alonzi told the sentencing Daniel McFarlane continues to deny wrongdoing.
The advocate then asked for a non-custodial disposal or a shorter jail term.
Mr Alonzi added: “He wanted to be a doctor and he is never going to be a doctor.
“He had a perfect life in front of him and he now has a High Court conviction and is on the sex offenders register for the rest of his life.”
SHOCKING TWIST 13.01.2024
A rape survivor must sign a confidentiality agreement to safeguard her assailant’s anonymity if she want to attend his petition for release from incarceration.
Ellie Wilson accused the parole board of “silencing her” last night.
Her former partner, Daniel McFarlane, was sentenced to five years in prison after she secretly filmed him admitting to rape.
In December, the parole board was unable to reach a consensus regarding his early release, and an oral hearing is set for February 14.
Due to the secretive nature of parole hearings, Ellie, 27, is required to sign a confidentiality agreement, prohibiting her from disclosing any information regarding what she observes or hears at McFarlane’s hearing next month.
Ellie, who waived her anonymity, said: “We are increasingly having discussions about justice reform now and making the system more trauma informed, but the parole system seems to have been largely left out of the conversation.
“What is shocking to me is the fact I have to sign a confidentiality agreement if I observe the hearing.
“Why the secrecy? It’s shameful.
“I waived my anonymity so I could find my voice again, tell my story, and expose the failures in the system. And now I’m being silenced. It’s so disempowering. If I want to attend I have to sign it unfortunately.”
Confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements for observers of parole hearings stipulate that no information may be communicated without the Chair of the Parole Board’s consent.
This action may constitute a violation of confidentiality.
Medical student McFarlane, 26, was sentenced to five years in prison in July 2022 for two rapes committed in December 2017 and February 2018. The assaults occurred when he was 19 and enrolled at Glasgow University.
In 2019, Ellie surreptitiously recorded McFarlane’s confession using her iPhone concealed within a purse.
Her courageous actions compelled him to confront legal charges in court.
Two years into his incarceration, Ellie was notified by the Scottish Prison Service that he was being evaluated for parole eligibility.
Ellie has previously criticised the Parole Board for Scotland for scheduling her attacker’s hearing on Valentine’s Day, coinciding with the anniversary of her assault. She stated, “The system is exceedingly inflexible.”
In December, Ellie and rape survivor Hannah McLaughlan initiated a campaign to enhance the rights of victims throughout the parole process of their assailants.
Kate Wallace, Chief Executive of Victim Support Scotland, stated: “Numerous enhancements are required to guarantee the system functions in a trauma-informed manner.”
“Victims should be heard to ensure the parole system functions in a manner that addresses their needs and minimises unnecessary stress.”
The Parole Board for Scotland stated that it refrains from commenting on specific instances.
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.