Alexander Steven, 52, was sentenced to an extended sentence of 18 years at the High Court in Edinburgh on 16 March 2026 after being convicted of a series of knifepoint rapes and sexual attacks on five vulnerable women in Dundee. The offending took place between October 2020 and December 2022. Steven specifically targeted women he identified as sex workers — many of them migrants with limited English and concerns about their immigration status — exploiting their vulnerability to carry out the attacks with near-impunity.

What Did Alexander Steven Do?

Steven targeted women in Dundee over a period of more than two years. The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service described how he deliberately selected victims who were from overseas, had or might have been expected to have potential visa difficulties, were anxious about the legality of their occupations, and had limited or very limited understanding of English. Steven calculated that these women would be less likely to report the attacks to the police.

His method was consistent. He would gain entry to the women at their homes or premises, immediately check other rooms to ensure they were alone, then produce a small knife and use it to threaten and control the victims before carrying out the rapes and assaults. The attacks were premeditated, organised, and deliberately targeted at those least able to seek help.

He was found guilty at Edinburgh High Court on 27 August 2025 of rape and assault with intent to rape across the five victims.

What Sentence Did He Receive?

On 16 March 2026, Judge Norman McFadyen KC imposed an extended sentence of 18 years, comprising 14 years in custody and a further 4 years on extended licence. Steven was also added to the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.

The extended sentence is a Scottish sentencing disposal available under the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 (as amended). It is used where a court considers that the period of licence following a standard determinate sentence would be insufficient to protect the public from serious harm from the offender. Under an extended sentence, the custodial term is served first, and the licence period is then extended beyond what would normally apply — crucially, breach of licence conditions can result in recall to custody for the full remaining duration of the licence period.

What Is an Extended Sentence in Scotland?

In Scotland, an extended sentence works differently from a standard determinate sentence. For a standard custodial sentence, an offender would typically be released at the halfway point and supervised on licence for the remainder. An extended sentence adds an additional licence period on top — so in Steven’s case, after serving 14 years in custody (and being released at the two-thirds point under Scottish law, having served approximately 9 years and 4 months), he would then be on extended licence for four years.

Extended sentences are imposed specifically where the court has determined that the offender poses a significant risk of serious harm to the public. The Scottish Parole Board has the power to recall the offender to custody at any point during the extended licence period if the risk cannot be managed in the community.

How Does This Differ From an Extended Sentence in England and Wales?

England and Wales have their own extended determinate sentence (EDS) regime under the Criminal Justice Act 2003 as amended by the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012. Under the English and Welsh EDS, an offender serves two-thirds of the custodial term before being eligible for Parole Board consideration, and then serves the extension period on licence. The structures are broadly similar in purpose — both jurisdictions use extended sentences to ensure that dangerous offenders remain under supervision for longer — but the precise mechanics and release points differ.

It is worth noting that the Sentencing Act 2026 — which came into force on 22 March 2026 in England and Wales — does not apply to Scotland. Criminal justice and sentencing law is devolved, and Scotland operates under its own legislative framework administered by the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish courts.

The Targeting of Vulnerable Victims as an Aggravating Factor

One of the most significant aspects of the case was the judge’s focus on Steven’s deliberate selection of victims he believed to be particularly vulnerable and less likely to report offences. Targeting a victim because of their vulnerability is an aggravating factor in sentencing under both Scottish and English law — it reflects a higher level of culpability because the offender has deliberately sought out and exploited a victim they consider weak or isolated.

In this case, Steven’s targeting of migrant women in the sex trade — many of whom had limited English and were uncertain about their immigration rights — was treated as evidence of deliberate predation. The Procurator Fiscal described how his approach showed careful calculation about who would be least able to seek redress.

Sex Offenders Register in Scotland

Offenders convicted of sexual offences in Scotland are subject to the notification requirements of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 — the same legislation that applies in England and Wales. A person placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely must notify police of their address and certain other personal details, and report any changes, for the rest of their life. Failure to comply is a criminal offence. The indefinite registration reflects the courts’ assessment that Steven poses a continuing risk that justifies permanent monitoring after release.