A JUDGE has acknowledged the “frustration” felt by those close to a court case in which a Helensburgh man was convicted of a 13-year reign of terror against four women – after yet another delay in reaching a sentence.

Ben Slee was found guilty last August of a catalogue of domestic abuse against six women in Helensburgh, Garelochhead, Glasgow and Edinburgh, including rape, attempted rape and assault, lasting from 2002 until 2015.

But the victims of his crimes will now have to wait until at least June to find out how long Slee will spend behind bars – and how long he will be restricted from contacting them after his release from jail.

Slee, 31, formerly of Maitland Court in Helensburgh, has now appeared in court four times since his conviction without a sentence being passed.

The High Court in Glasgow heard on Friday that he was disputing some of the facts in an expert assessment of the risk he poses to women.

Slee, formerly of Maitland Court, Helensburgh, has engaged a new legal team and wants a new risk assessment to be compiled by an expert from Glasgow Caledonian University.

Judge Lord Beckett said: “While I am aware of the frustration many may feel at what is yet another delay, I reach the conclusion that it is in the interests of justice that the court does allow an opportunity for an alternative assessment to be carried out.”

Slee was found guilty last August of 29 charges of domestic abuse against the six women, including the rape of one and the attempted rape of another.

Defence advocate Neil Murray QC asked the court on Friday to fix a proof hearing at which the terms both of that risk assessment, and a fresh assessment requested by Slee's defence team, will be put to the test.

Lord Beckett told Mr Murray: “You are taking issue with matters of fact and professional judgement contained in the risk assessment.

“The court is only exceptionally minded to continue these cases at this stage, but I accept there is new representation and enquiries have to be made as to the risk assessment, which I'm not dismissing out of hand.

“I would expect every endeavour will be made to reach a decision as soon as possible.”

Turning to address Slee directly, the judge said: “Given that what is in contemplation is the court making an order for lifelong restriction, plainly the decision the court has to make is an important one for you and for protecting the public at large.

“You having raised factual objections to the report, I am prepared to fix a proof. But the court is most anxious to make progress on these proceedings.”

Marsha Scott, the chief executive of Scottish Women's Aid, said: “In most cases, everyone, on both sides, wants resolution quickly.

“But if a delay is required for a suitably serious sentence to be passed, it's not in a woman's interest to see the sentencing process speeded up.

“A lengthy delay in order to secure the right sentence is better than a quick sentence which may be the wrong one.”