A Fife businessman has been convicted of a disturbing string of rape and sexual assault offences against two women over a period spanning several years.
John Houston, 39, was found guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh after jurors heard how the women were subjected to repeated sexual attacks at locations in Leven between July 2020 and September 2023.
The court heard harrowing evidence relating to Houston’s first victim, including an allegation of rape and other sexual assaults.
Jurors were told that on one occasion he sexually assaulted the woman after she had withdrawn her consent.
The second victim was also repeatedly assaulted, with the court hearing that Houston raped her while she was asleep during incidents between December 2022 and October 2023.
Houston had denied the allegations and maintained throughout the trial that he was innocent.
When challenged over evidence that both women had told him to stop during sexual acts, Houston claimed: “I didn’t hear them once ever say ‘stop’ once.”
He insisted he was “100%” certain he had not broken the law, adding: “I didn’t make anybody do anything.”
Houston also told the court he was not an aggressive person and would never hurt the women.
He claimed he believed there had been a conspiracy against him and suggested the two women had spoken to each other.
But after a week of evidence, the jury rejected his defence and returned guilty verdicts for rape, sexual assault and threatening behaviour.
Prosecutor Fiona Drysdale KC then told the court that Houston had previous convictions for unrelated offences.
Judge Matt Jackson KC deferred sentencing while a report is prepared.
But Houston’s position changed immediately following the verdict.
Judge Jackson told him: “Your status has changed. You will be remanded in custody.”
Houston will remain in custody until he returns to the High Court in Edinburgh on September 15, 2026, when he is due to be sentenced.