Stephen Rennie. Picture: Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary
An Inverness footballer has been jailed for eight years after being found guilty of raping and assaulting a woman on the Isle of Wight.
Stephen Rennie (29) had pleaded not guilty to charges of rape and assault with penetration on October 11, 2024.
The incident took place in the Newport area on the Isle of Wight on June 24, 2023.
At Portsmouth Crown Court on April 10, 2026, Rennie was found guilty of committing both offences by a jury following trial.
He was sentenced to an immediate eight-year custodial term.
Two detectives whose dedicated work helped to secure the sentence were recognised at an Isle of Wight Area Commander’s Awards on April 14.
DC Ashlea-Paige Butt and DC Daniel Cooke were praised for their “diligence and professionalism” investigating the rape case.
A spokesperson for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said: “Their compassion and support of the victim, and relentless pursuit of the suspect, resulted in a Stephen Rennie, of Cypress Place, Inverness, being sentenced to eight years in prison in April 2026 for a rape reported in Newport in 2023.”
Former footballer Rennie, a former youth prospect with Inverness Caledonian Thistle, last played for Strathspey Thistle during the 2024/25 season.
He had also played in the Highland Football League for Rothes, Nairn County and Fort William and for Inverness-based North Caledonian League clubs Loch Ness and Inverness Athletic.
View our fact sheet on court reporting here