Ex-soldier raped two women and teenage girls during fifty-year harassment campaign

A former soldier who preyed on four victims during a five-decade harassment campaign has been jailed.

Malcolm Sloss was found guilty of ten charges following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

The man, now 71, committed crimes against two women and two girls in and around his hometown of Oban in Argyll and Bute between the late 1980s and 2021.

Sloss, who has recently worked as a farrier hoofing horses as well as building his own properties, has been branded a “sexual predator” as he remains in custody to serve his sentence next month.

Jurors heard Sloss claimed the first rape victim was “flirting” with him while he helped her install a wood stove at her home.

He then denied forcing himself on the woman.

KC Murray Macara told him: “He said you were persistent over and over again.

“The sexual activity occurred at your encouragement and you were determined to persuade him to do what you wanted.”

Sloss responded: “If he didn’t want sex, I would know.”

He even claimed that this victim was not a “shrinking violet.”

After parking his car near a quiet recycling center, Slos raped the next woman.

He was vulnerable at the time due to a personal issue.

He denied assaulting her, insisting it was a “consensus” they had sex that night.

The predator then hunted down a young girl who was also interested in horses.

He again claimed that any sexual intercourse was consensual despite the 40-year age difference.

Mr. Macara: “Did you rape her?”

Slos: “No. “I never forced him.”

He also denied allegations that he assaulted the girl during the car journey to England.

Jurors heard Sloss also harassed another teenage girl and made sleazy comments to her.

Prosecutor Lorraine Glancy KC later told Sloss that the young girl he raped must have been “delusional”.

He replied: “No, that’s what you say. Some people don’t tell the truth because they’re delusional, but I’m not saying that’s what it is.

“I had a moment of madness with him. Unless your sexual intercourse with her was consensual, it’s a lie.

He claimed that he was not a “risk” taker.

Deputy solicitor Miss Glancy: “Could it be risky to have sex with a 16-year-old?”

Sloss: “Yes, it’s very risky if it’s criminal, but this wasn’t it.”

He was also questioned about attacking the girl during the car ride.

Sloss: “No one but a lunatic would try that while going 70 mph on the highway.”

He also denied accusations regarding other victims; Ms Glancy suggested that if a woman lied she must be a “successful actress”.

Among the charges Sloss was found guilty of were the rape of two women and a girl.

He was guilty of sexually assaulting and making sleazy remarks to the other teenager.

Judge William Gallacher told him: “These are very serious offences.

“The attorney general described you as a ‘sexual harasser’ in his defense, and the charges confirm this.

“You can guess a very long sentence.”

Sloss was released on bail but was arrested.

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