The woman who was subjected to an appalling rape at the hands of twisted Ayr man Donald McLeod is now helping other victims of sexual violence.

The woman – who we have agreed not to identify – spoke to the Advertiser after McLeod was jailed for four years at the High Court in Glasgow.

McLeod, 37, preyed on his victim in October 2015 at a property in Ayr - then bragged about what had happened to work colleagues.

When arrested he denied all the charges - and continued to do so throughout his trial.

He was finally convicted of raping the woman to her injury after a trial in Paisley, and was sentenced on August 22.

She told us: “It has been a long ordeal. The attack happened in 2015.

“I eventually left the area in 2019 and reported it to the police.

“It wasn’t just one rape. He faced other charges. The procurator fiscal told me they could have taken them further but decided to concentrate on just one.

“I am angry, but it is what it is. He got the maximum sentence available to the court."

The hearing was told McLeod, also of Ayr, had "apologised" to the woman after the attack - but only for any injury he may have caused, rather than admitting to the rape.

The woman continued: “I am glad he has been jailed, but I am still numb. It’s not just me - my family have had to build their lives again.

“The support I have had has been brilliant, but this has taken its toll on everything.

“I did contact Women’s Aid, and I have had support from the Star Centre in Kilmarnock, who have been brilliant.

"They offer emotional and practical support to those who have suffered sexual violence. They were a great help.

“I now want to help other people who have been through abuse like this. I volunteer with a charity helping victims of sexual violence and children - and the team there have been amazing too."

McLeod had been employed as a machine operator for a firm based at Prestwick Airport, and the trial was told he had bragged to colleagues about what had happened.

The woman told us: “One of the frustrating things is that articles suggested the friends he ‘bragged’ to at work helped the police.

"They didn’t. They didn’t even go to the police.

“I told the officers where he was working at the time. They went into his work – and his friends lied for him.

“When the police took his phone, they found all the text messages he had sent them. That’s how they were able to get him to say sorry.”

She concluded: “This has has been an ordeal like no other – but I’m now looking to the future with my family.”

If you or someone you know has suffered sexual violence, help is available.

You can contact South Ayrshire Women's Aid on 01292 266482.

More help is available from the Star Centre in Kilmarnock, who offer free and confidential support to anyone, of any ethnicity, aged 13+ who has experienced sexual violence (women, girls, men, boys and those who identify as transgender or non-binary).

They can be contacted on 01563 544686.