A MARTIAL arts instructor who repeatedly raped a woman with severe learning disabilities during private lessons has been jailed for six years – despite still protesting his innocence.

Grandfather Edward Monaghan, 54, raped the 21-year-old at his home in Helensburgh and in the car park at Craigendoran railway station, writes James Mulholland.

The abuse took place on various occasions between October 2014 and January 2015.

On Tuesday, Monaghan, of Athole Street, Helensburgh, was jailed for six years after a hearing at the High Court in Edinburgh.

Judge Robert Weir QC told the pervert that he had no other option but to send him to prison.

He added: “The sentence of the court in this case will be one of six years.”

The bin man was found guilty last month after trial at the High Court in Glasgow of raping the woman, who is incapable of giving consent.

The court heard how his victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has a very low IQ and is assessed as having the mental capacity of a five or six-year-old child.

He claimed that the woman was a willing participant and admitted they had carried out some sex acts, but denied having sexual intercourse with her.

In a special filmed hearing shown to the court the woman said: “I was frightened, but I did what he said. He was a black belt in Tae Kwon Do.”

The court heard that Monaghan, a black belt, first met the woman when she was 16 and began teaching her the martial art.

He suggested to her parents, who trusted him, that she should have private lessons. He would collect her in his car from her home and take her either to his home or to a car park and rape her.

The crime came to light when the woman's mother noticed her on Facebook having a chat with someone. When she saw the messages from Monaghan she contacted the police.

Monaghan claimed in court that he believed the woman, who was a virgin, was capable of giving consent.

Prosecutor Angela Gray said: “He knew that she had attended a special school. When the woman was examined by psychologists she identified herself as a child.

“Edward Monaghan said she seemed fine and claimed he thought she was helping out as volunteer with the learning disabled group he taught.

“Her parents handed her over to Edward Monaghan on the understanding she was going for a Tae Kwon do lesson, instead of which he took her to a car park or his home for his own sexual gratification. He then took her back to her parents.

Monaghan sent the woman a lewd Facebook message and she replied: “I don't understand,” and then told her: “I know.”

He then messaged her saying : “You do have an innocent mind lol.”

The woman's father described her as being very slow at learning, said she couldn't go out herself and needed a 24-hour care package.

Her dad said: “I trusted that man. I really trusted him.”

The woman's mother said: “You couldn't send her to the shops for bread or sugar. She would have to have help. She has no sense of time and has no idea when dinner is going to be.”

Sentence was deferred on Monaghan to obtain reports about his character.

On Tuesday, defence advocate Neil Murray QC said his client still maintained his position of innocence.

Mr Murray added: “He is assessed at being at a low risk of sexual reoffending.”

Monaghan has also been placed on the sex offenders' register.