Rapist who attacked doctor on street jailed for nine years

A Romanian man who raped a doctor in a late-night attack in Glasgow city centre has been jailed for nine years.

Mihai Nicolae Patran assaulted the 27-year-old woman as she walked along Mitchell Street in the early hours of 26 November 2023.

The victim, who did not know her attacker, eventually escaped naked from the waist down to the safety of a taxi.

Patran, 34, had previously been arrested after exposing himself to a woman on a train, and went on to perform a sex act on himself while sitting in the dock during his first court appearance.

He was was found guilty of the rape following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow last month.

Judge Norman McFadyen told Patran he was "a dangerous man and a danger to women".

He added: "It is hoped you will be deported or removed from the country at the earliest opportunity."

The judge said he also had to take account of a scenario whereby Patran was released and remained at liberty.

Lord McFadyen said: "In that event, it seems clear to me the risk you present is such, that the period you be subject to supervision on licence as part of a custodial sentence would not be sufficient for the protection of the public from serious harm.

"It is therefore appropriate to pass an extended sentence."

As a result, Patran will be supervised for a further three years after his release.

Patran had first appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court days after the attack.

A female prison custody officer who was handcuffed to Patran in the dock spotted him groping himself during the hearing.

The presiding sheriff was later alerted to what happened and the police became involved.

It also emerged Patran had exposed himself to a woman on a train between Perth and Stirling on 22 October 2023.

Patran was found guilty of all three charges.

He was put on the sex offenders list indefinitely.