KYLER PATERSON – ST ANDREWS, Fife

A convicted rapist subjected a woman in Fife to a horrific three-day ordeal a fortnight after being released from prison.

Kyler Paterson, 30, was freed after his violent crimes in February this year but started attacking the woman almost immediately, including choking her.
She eventually managed to get her phone back and messaged a friend, begging for help because: “He told me he would kill me”.

It is the second time the violent thug has been caught by a victim using their phone.
In 2016, Paterson was jailed for five years for raping a 15-year-old girl in Kirkcaldy.
The teenager had left a voicemail on a friend’s phone in which she was heard pleading: “Get off, you are raping me.”
Paterson – who told his victim “I was brought up not to hit women” – now faces another lengthy jail term after he admitted assault to injury and danger of life.

Prosecutor Bill McVicar told the High Court in Glasgow how Paterson had been freed from prison on February 27 2025.

As well as the rape sentence, a further three-year and nine-month term was later separately added for a violent offence.

After he was released, Paterson – also known as Coughlan – would often see the woman.
She went to his home in St Andrews on March 13.
Paterson soon took her phone and stated she could only contact her mother.

The next afternoon, he flew into a rage after checking old messages on her mobile, calling her vile names.
He slapped her, stating: “You are lucky I did not punch you.”
She tried to leave but the thug booted her on the back so she stayed overnight as she “felt unable to leave,” Mr McVicar said.

‘I was brought up not to hit women’
The pair went to a restaurant in the town and when they came back, Paterson turned on her again, grabbing her and shoving her head onto a bed.

The frightened woman went to pack her bags but Paterson slammed her to the floor.

Mr McVicar said: “He climbed on top, placed both hands around her throat and pressed it.

“This lasted for a minute or two – she was struggling to breathe.”
The woman momentarily got away but Paterson lifted her by the neck and slapped her face.

He stated at one point: “I would not usually do this. I have been brought up not to hit women.”

On the morning of March 17, the woman got her phone and hid it in her bag.
She then quickly sent a number of panicked messages to a friend.
In one, she said: “I am scared – he has battered me twice.”
She followed up: “I tried to get out last night after getting lifted off my feet by the throat.

“He told me that he would kill me.”
Mr McVicar said: “The woman shared her location and her friend contacted 999.”

Police turned up and the relieved woman met them at the door.
The court heard the woman had some of her hair pulled out, as well as injuries to her face and tenderness to her jaw and back.

Lady Haldane continued Paterson’s remand in custody as sentencing was adjourned for reports.