A RUGBY player has been jailed for six years for raping a teenager after playing in a sevens tournament.

A judge told Girvin Imrie, 25, that he required to impose a "significant custodial sentence" following his conviction for the sex attack.

Imrie grabbed his 19-year-old victim and raped her in a garden at Howe of Fife rugby club on May 5 last year.

Lord Kinclaven told Imrie at the High Court in Edinburgh that he had read a large number of supportive character references.

The judge said: "You are a first offender. You have previously been of good, exemplary, character."

But he added: "The fact remains you have been found guilty by verdict of the jury of a serious sexual offence."

Imrie, a chemical engineer, of Cupar, had denied raping the woman.

He was placed on the sex offenders register.