A man described as “depraved” has been sentenced to nine years in prison for raping a doctor in an alley in the city center over a 40-minute period. Mihae-Nicolae Patran, 34, attacked the 27-year-old woman as she walked through Mitchell Street in Glasgow on November 26, 2023. The victim, who was a stranger to Patran, managed to escape to a nearby taxi while partially unclothed. Patran was apprehended later, having previously exposed himself to a woman on a train.
During his initial court appearance, Patran engaged in indecent behavior, further illustrating the disturbing nature of his actions. Judge N McFadyen, in Glasgow High Court, emphasized the threat Patran poses to women and sentenced him to a 12-year extended term, including nine years in custody and three years of post-release supervision. The judge expressed hope for Patran’s deportation to Romania and added his name to the sex offenders register indefinitely.
Judge McFadyen addressed Patran directly, recounting the traumatic experience suffered by the victim during the prolonged assault. The judge highlighted Patran’s prior convictions for sexual offenses against female strangers within a short timeframe in 2023, characterizing his conduct as “depraved and degenerate,” and labeling him as a serious danger to women. Patran, represented by Donald Findlay KC, maintained his innocence, showing no remorse or willingness to apologize for his actions.
Faye Cook, Procurator Fiscal for High Court Sexual Offences, described Patran as a significant threat to women, emphasizing his pattern of opportunistic sexual offenses in high-risk scenarios. The successful prosecution, supported by CCTV evidence and victim testimonies, aimed to bring accountability to Patran for his crimes. Cook assured that such despicable acts, although uncommon, would not be tolerated, and justice would be pursued diligently to support the affected individuals.
