A man described as “depraved” has been sentenced to nine years in prison for raping a doctor in a city center alley over a 40-minute period. Mihae-Nicolae Patran, 34, attacked the 27-year-old victim as she was taking a shortcut through Mitchell Street in Glasgow on the early morning of November 26, 2023. The victim, who was unknown to Patran, managed to escape to a nearby taxi while partially undressed, leading to Patran’s subsequent arrest. Prior to this incident, Patran had been apprehended for indecent exposure to a woman on a train.
During his initial court appearance, Patran engaged in lewd behavior while seated in the dock. At the sentencing in Glasgow High Court, Judge N McFadyen emphasized that Patran poses a significant threat to women. The judge imposed a 12-year extended sentence, consisting of nine years in prison followed by three years of post-release supervision.
It is expected that Patran, a Romanian national, will be deported back to his home country. Additionally, his name has been placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely. Judge McFadyen addressed Patran directly, highlighting the brutality of the assault on the victim in the alleyway. The judge pointed out that Patran had been convicted of three sexual offenses involving female strangers within a short timeframe in 2023, expressing disbelief at the nature of his actions.
Patran’s legal representative, Donald Findlay KC, acknowledged that Patran maintains his innocence and expressed uncertainty about his client’s future plans. Findlay mentioned Patran’s desire to return to Romania due to minimal ties in Scotland beyond work acquaintances. Faye Cook, Procurator Fiscal for High Court Sexual Offences, emphasized Patran’s danger to women and his opportunistic sexual offenses in high-risk scenarios. The successful prosecution relied on various evidence, including CCTV footage and victim testimonies, to secure a conviction.
The collaborative effort of the victims and law enforcement was crucial in ensuring accountability for Patran’s crimes. Prosecutors reiterated their commitment to supporting victims of such offenses and seeking justice in cases of stranger-related crimes, emphasizing a zero-tolerance approach to such behavior.