A FAMILY from Trowbridge had to flee abroad when their son was charged with raping and assaulting a 21-year-old girl in Scotland.

The parents of 27-year-old Christopher Beirne, formerly of Lambrok Close, Trowbridge, fled to France when details of his crimes became public knowledge.

Beirne, who denied both charges but was convicted of assault and fleeing custody, was sentenced to 18 months in jail at the High Court in Edinburgh on Tuesday.

In court Robert Anthony QC said Beirne's family had suffered as a result of his crime.

"He (Christopher) was beaten up twice and his parents suffered taunts and intimidation," he said.

"Nails were put under the tyres of their car and they left to live in France."

The victim, now 26, needed a steel plate inserted in her jaw after the attack by Beirne outside the Maryhill Tavern in Glasgow in June 1999.

A rape charge was dropped when she admitted forgetting details of the attack.

Beirne was arrested in France when he informed authorities about his missing passport and was extradited to Scotland in May to face trial.

Beirne was sent to work in Glasgow by the Trowbridge firm he was employed by at the time.