Mihai-Nicolae Patran, a 34-year-old man from Romania, was convicted of multiple serious sexual offences following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow. His crimes, spanning October and November 2023, targeted three unsuspecting women in public settings, demonstrating a pattern of opportunistic predation. Patran's actions were meticulously documented through CCTV footage, DNA evidence, mobile phone records, and witness testimonies, leading to his unequivocal conviction on October 14, 2025.
The first incident occurred on October 22, 2023, when Patran was captured on CCTV boarding a train between Perth and Stirling. Seated in a busy carriage, he indecently exposed himself in the presence of a 19-year-old woman. The victim promptly alerted the train conductor, who notified the police, resulting in Patran's swift arrest on the train. This brazen act in a public space highlighted his disregard for consequences and marked the beginning of his short but intense spree of sexual offending.
- October 22, 2023: Indecent exposure on a train to a 19-year-old woman.
- November 26, 2023: Rape of a 29-year-old woman on Mitchell Street, Glasgow.
- November 28, 2023: Sexual assault on a female at Glasgow Sheriff Court.
Just weeks later, on November 26, 2023, CCTV footage showed Patran emerging from an alleyway on Mitchell Street in Glasgow. He targeted a 29-year-old woman walking alone, blocking her escape in an enclosed doorway before raping her. The attack was sudden and violent, leaving the victim traumatised. Patran, who had no prior connection to any of his victims, exploited the vulnerability of strangers in urban environments.
Following his initial arrest, Patran appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court on November 28, 2023, where he committed yet another offence by sexually assaulting a third female. This incident occurred while he was in custody or during court proceedings, underscoring his persistent danger. Prosecutors, led by Faye Cook, Procurator Fiscal for High Court Sexual Offences, built a robust case using forensic evidence and victim accounts. Cook stated: 'Mihai-Nicolae Patran poses a significant danger to women and is a sexual opportunist who offends in high-risk situations. The prosecution identified and drew together multiple strands of evidence, including CCTV footage, which supported the harrowing accounts given by all three victims.' She further emphasised: 'This conviction would not have been possible without these women, and I hope it brings some comfort that Patran has now been held accountable. This type of stranger offending, while rare, will not be tolerated and Scotland’s prosecutors will continue to fully support those affected as we seek to secure justice.'
On November 10, 2025, at the High Court in Glasgow, Patran was sentenced to a 12-year extended sentence, comprising nine years in custody followed by three years of supervision. His name was added to the sex offenders register indefinitely. The case was handled by Police Scotland, who collaborated with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) to ensure justice. Sources including the Daily Record and official COPFS statements confirm the comprehensive nature of the investigation and the severity of the offences committed by Patran.