Sex Offender Jailed For Rape of Student in Uddingston
A convicted sex offender who dragged a female student into woods and raped her at knifepoint has described his crime as "despicable".
John Ryan was given an extended sentence at the High Court in Livingston yesterday by a judge who told him he posed a risk to females.
Ryan, 35, was already on the sex offender's register when he attacked the 20-year-old as she walked home from a train station.
He pounced as his victim - a complete stranger - walked along the street just before 10pm.
He put one hand over her mouth and the other across her chest and turned her round before threatening her with a pocket-knife.
The terrified victim offered Ryan her handbag and begged him not to rape her.
But the monster, who was convicted of indecent assaulting a woman in 2004, ignored her pleas and raped her.
After Ryan fled, the student rang police, who traced CCTV footage showing him following her at Uddingston train station in North Lanarkshire.
Police interviewed registered sex offenders in the area, including Ryan.
Officers noted that he appeared unduly agitated and strongly resembled the man in the CCTV footage.
DNA samples taken from the woman's breast and mouth were later found to match the accused's and he was charged.
Defence advocate Louise Arrol admitted Ryan had shown no remorse but had pled guilty at a very early opportunity.
She said: "When at liberty he is unemployed and he appears to live a relatively solitary life.
"He advises that on the date in question he was under the influence of alcohol when he committed the offence.
"He was under the influence of alcohol when he committed the previous offence as well.
"He's described to the author of the social enquiry report that he accepts his behaviour was 'utterly despicable'. These were his words.
"He also accepts that the long term damage and the consequences that will be occasioned to the victim.
"Mr Ryan presents as someone who recognizes that he has committed a grave offence.
"He recognizes that he needs assistance to prevent further offending."
Passing sentence, Lord Burns told Ryan that he would serve a punishment period of six years and eight months in prison and be subject to supervision for three years after his release.
He also ordered that Ryan's name remain on the sex offenders register for life and that Scottish Ministers be informed of his conviction for the protection of vulnerable adults.
He told the accused the use of a knife was a "significant aggravating factor" when he sexually assaulted and raped the young girl who was on her own and highly inexperienced.
He said: "You subjected her to a prolonged and terrifying ordeal despite her pleas for you to stop and let her go.
"As your lawyer has accepted the long-term consequences for this young girl are incalculable.
"You committed this when you were on the sex offenders register. You have an analagous convictions for indecent assault.
"The circumstances of this assault showed symptoms of predatory behaviour against solitary females.
"Your accounts to the social worker are contradictory and I agree with the author of that report that you present a high risk to females and that an extended sentence is required in your case in order to reduce the risk you pose."
Ryan, of Farm Court, Bothwell, earlier pleaded guilty to raping the woman at Castle Gate, Uddingston, on March 24.
He showed no emotion as he was led to the cells.