A sex predator who raped three teenage girls when they were unable to consent to sex has been locked up for five years.

William Graham preyed on his victims in 2021 - one he had choked unconscious, the other two were initially sleeping at the time.

The now 20-year-old was today sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow.

Graham repeatedly attacked the first girl in Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute until "she felt used" by him.

On the first occasion, she had been asleep when he initially struck.

Violence included being strangled, slapped and spat upon.

The next girl was raped at student halls in Glasgow.

The court heard how he "choked her into unconsciousness" and then had sex with her after she had passed out.

During a separate incident, this victim was said to have been left "crying in pain".

The final girl was also attacked at student accommodation in the city.

She had returned to her flat, Graham had insisted on going with her and followed her in.

The girl had earlier been drinking and fell asleep.

She was left in "shock" when she was awoken to find Graham having sex with her. The teenager felt "numb" and "scared" by her ordeal.

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Graham, latterly of the city's Charing Cross, was convicted of three rape charges as well as having underage sex with one of the girls and another young female.

Judge Douglas Brown also ordered Graham to be supervised for a further three years on his release.

He will be on the sex offenders list indefinitely. Graham was further banned from contacting any of the victims for the next 10 years.

The judge said he had had regard to the sentencing guidelines for young people when dealing with Graham.

He told the rapist: "One (of the victims) has set out in detail how what happened has seriously affected her self-esteem and her ability to form relationships."

Tony Lenehan KC, defending, said Graham had a number of difficulties growing up.

The advocate also stated: "By virtue of his position (of denial) I cannot unpick or seek to mitigate the offences."