Steven Watson attacked his victim three times between Christmas and New Year (Picture: SWNS)

A care worker who raped a severely disabled man numerous times has been jailed.

Steven Watson, 64, raped the man three times while working in a residential care home between December 1, 2018 and January 6, this year.

Watson, of Dunfermline, Fife, ‘preyed on an extremely vulnerable man’, aged 44, who could not give his consent to the acts.

Jane Farquharson QC said the victim had severe learning difficulties, used a wheelchair, and had cerebral palsy and epilepsy.


She added: ‘He cannot do anything for himself and requires assistance in all aspects of his daily living.

‘He can express himself, using yes and no answers, head movements, and through the use of visual communication aids but only if asked a simple and closed question.’



His crimes were discovered when management became suspicious of his behaviour and called in police.

Watson was jailed at Edinburgh High Court (Picture: PA)

Last month Watson pleaded guilty to rape and today he was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh, to six years and four months.

He will also be put on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.

Watson had been a support worker for 15 to 20 years, said Ms Farquharson, and had previously worked abroad for Oxfam and Save the Children.

Detective Constable Lauren Miller of Fife’s Divisional Rape Investigation Unit said: ‘Steven Watson used his position to prey on an extremely vulnerable man in what was a despicable breach of trust.

‘I want to thank staff for their vigilance in reporting concerns to management and police, and for their co-operation with our investigation.

‘Police Scotland is committed to safeguarding people from sexual violence and any reports will be taken seriously and thoroughly investigated.’

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