South Lanarkshire man guilty of drugging and raping teens

A rapist who drugged and sexually assaulted two teenage girls is behind bars.

John Kursulis pounced on his victims during separate attacks in 2016 and 2017.

A jury heard how Kursulis laughed as he had sex with one of the stricken girls.

The 28 year-old denied the crimes during a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

But, he now faces a lengthy jail-term after being convicted of rape.

As he was being lead to the cells, Kursulis shouted from the dock: “I didn't do anything, man.”

Kursulis, of Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, was remanded in custody pending sentencing next month.

Prosecutors said he did "administer" or "cause a substance” to be taken by each girl to “stupefy” or “overpower” them.

The first victim – then aged 16 – was attacked at a property in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire in April 2016.

She had been with Kursulis, but later recalled her body being “so heavy” that she could not stand.

The girl found a “laughing” Kursulis on top having sex with her.

She believed she shouted – but was “so weak” could not tell how loud her pleas were.

The teenager was later described by a relative as “hysterical”.

The second girl – then aged 17 – was targeted in a similar way at a house in Hamilton in May last year.

In his speech to jurors, prosecutor Derick Nelson described both victims as “vulnerable and easy prey”.

He said: "Two young girls taken advantage of by a dangerous sexual predator."

Lord Armstrong deferred sentencing for reports until September 21 in Edinburgh.

The judge told a sobbing Kursulis that he had been convicted of “grave” crimes.

A woman – who had attended the trial with the rapist – fled the courtroom in tears after the verdict