A SERIAL rapist who also blackmailed victims including in Ayrshire has been handed a life sentence.

Allan Rotchford was today locked up for crimes involving "psychopathic" behaviour.

The 34-year-old had been convicted of 12 charges against four women following a trial last February.

These were six rape offences, two indecent assaults and a further two sexual assaults.

Rotchford was also found guilty of two charges of extorting graphic images of women by threatening to expose intimate pictures online.

The crimes occurred in Edinburgh, West Lothian, Stirling and Ayrshire between 2009 and 2019.

The case had been repeatedly adjourned while a full risk assessment into the continuing danger Rotchford may pose was carried out.

Lord Fairley today decided to impose an Order for Lifelong Restriction at a hearing at the High Court in Glasgow.

Rotchford - who denied the charges - must also serve a minimum seven years behind bars.

The judge said the rapist was "manipulative, deceitful and extraordinarily cruel".

One report described Rotchford as having "no inhibitions to harming others" and that he had displayed a "range of psychopathic traits".

Another doctor said he had "narcissistic personality disorder".

Lord Fairley: "An Order for Lifelong Restriction is plainly necessary and appropriate."

Rotchford was also hit with a Sexual Offences Prevention Order banning him from contacting the victims or accessing any images of them.

Jurors earlier heard how the attacks included raping one woman at a flat in Edinburgh after she had fallen asleep from taking tablets.

Rotchford also recorded one of the crimes on a mobile phone.

He also took to Twitter and Facebook by warning if he would put private photos of two of the women online unless they agreed to his sick demands.

Rotchford raped another sleeping victim while he was on bail.

Rotchford was also today put on the sex offenders list indefinitely.

Detective Inspector Steven McMillan, of Police Scotland's Domestic Abuse Task Force, said: "This judgement recognises Rotchford's sadistic sexual abuse. He abused these women's trust, denied them the right and the ability to consent, and used threats and lies to coerce them to act against their will.

"Each of these women has shown immense courage. From the initial report and through our proactive investigation, they have helped us gather the evidence which has led to this sentence.

"Make no mistake, this is a life sentence for Rotchford and I hope this outcome will help these women move on with their lives.

"Abuse in all its forms will not be tolerated and has no place in society. I also hope that this sentencing will give confidence to anyone who is experiencing, or who has experienced, abuse to come forward knowing that we will listen and we will investigate."