Profile: Robert Foye

ROBERT Foye was 27 when he raped a 16-year-old girl and he already had an extensive criminal record.

He first appeared before a children’s panel hearing as a nine-year-old.

By 11, he was abusing alcohol and, later, turned to drugs. From 16, he built up a record of 25 convictions.

His history of crime ranged from motoring offences to theft and wilful fireraising. He even set fire to a children’s home in a bid to escape.

In 2001, he began to show a violent streak and was twice found guilty of assault.

All that had gone before paled into relative insignificance when, in 2002, Foye appeared in the High Court and was convicted of attempting to murder a policeman whom he had mowed down in a stolen car.

The injured officer suffered an extensive skull fracture and brain damage.

Foye was jailed for ten years.

During his time in jail – he was at liberty for only two months in 12 years – Foye failed several drug tests and was placed on report regularly for failing to turn up for work. He also took part in a “smash up” at Shotts Prison.

Still, he was transferred to an open prison and, even after absconding, he was returned to Castle Huntly. The last time he went Awol, he carried out the rape in Cumbernauld.

JOHN ROBERTSON