A nine-year sentence has been handed down to Mihai-Nicolae Patran, with an additional three years of supervised release, following his conviction for a brutal attack that unfolded in a Glasgow city centre alleyway.
The court heard harrowing details of a forty-minute ordeal, captured partially by CCTV and a victim’s mobile phone, where a woman taking a shortcut was subjected to a “protracted, demeaning and squalid rape.” The judge, N McFadyen, stated unequivocally that Patran represents a “real danger to women.”
The victim, a doctor, described the experience as a state of “complete disassociation,” revealing she was paralyzed by fear during the assault. She had been on her way to meet friends and decided to cut through Mitchell Street when she encountered Patran.
This conviction isn’t an isolated incident. Over a mere five weeks in 2023, Patran committed three separate sexual offenses against unsuspecting women. He was also found guilty of indecent exposure on a crowded train between Perth and Stirling, targeting a nineteen-year-old passenger.
Further accusations included soliciting a woman for sex and sexually assaulting a court custody officer, painting a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior. Despite the overwhelming evidence, Patran continues to maintain his innocence, according to his lawyer, Donald Findlay KC.
Prosecutors meticulously pieced together evidence, including crucial CCTV footage, to corroborate the accounts of all three victims. Faye Cook, Procurator Fiscal for High Court Sexual Offences, emphasized the vital role the women played in securing this conviction.
Cook stated that this type of stranger offending, though infrequent, will not be accepted, and Scotland’s prosecution services will relentlessly pursue justice for those affected. The conviction serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by women and the commitment to holding perpetrators accountable.
Patran’s future remains uncertain, with his lawyer indicating a desire to potentially return to his home country. However, for now, he will serve a significant prison sentence, and upon release, will be subject to strict supervision.
