Renfrew rapist handed jail term after attacking woman on her birthday

The incident happened in December 2020 and the assailant was told a custodial sentence was the “appropriate” outcome.

A former postman from Renfrew who raped a woman on her birthday was jailed for six years yesterday.

Nairn Sharp, 28, pulled down the victim’s lower clothing during the sex attack on the 20-year-old at a flat in the Partick area of Glasgow.

A judge told Sharp at the High Court in Edinburgh: “Standing the gravity of this matter, it is clear only a significant custodial disposal is appropriate.”

Lord Arthurson noted that the first offender was 23 at the time of the crime and was assessed as posing a low risk of further sexual offending.

Sharp, formerly of Anderson Drive, had earlier denied assaulting and raping the woman on December 8 in 2020 but was convicted of the offence by a jury at the High Court in Glasgow.

During the sex attack on the victim, Sharp bit her and molested her. Defence solicitor advocate Billy Lavelle said Sharp realised a prison sentence would be imposed on him following his conviction for rape.

He said: “He has no previous convictions. He has never been in trouble before and there are no outstanding matters.

“He does not have a drug problem. He does not have an alcohol problem. He has led a fairly temperate life.”

Mr Lavelle said Sharp worked after leaving school and became a postman with the Royal Mail in Glasgow. He was considered “an exemplary employee” but lost his job given his conviction.

The defence lawyer said: “I would submit he is a young man who is unlikely to ever be in front of a court again.”

Sharp was placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely following his sentencing. Lord Arthurson made a non-harassment order banning him from contacting or attempting to contact the woman for an indefinite period.

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