A SEX predator who raped a young woman while on bail for a similar attack has been jailed for 10 years.

Dorel Simion and accomplice Bogdan Paduraru pounced on the victim near an underpass in Pine Crescent, East Kilbride, Lanarkshire on June 26 2021.

Simion struck having earlier also raped another woman in a lane in Campbell Place in the town months earlier on August 29 2020.

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The 30 year-old had been bailed by a sheriff following an appearance in the dock for that crime.

Simion was yesterday sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow having earlier been convicted of both sex attacks after a trial.

Paduraru, 28, was jailed for five and a half years after he pleaded guilty to his involvement in the latter rape.

The court heard how both had "taken advantage" of a woman who had walking from her home nearby.

Prosecutors stated she was intoxicated at the time and unable to consent to sex.

The duo - both from Romania - were later charged, but it emerged Simion had already appeared in court for the earlier rape.

He had again preyed on a woman who had been drinking.

Simion went on to appear at Hamilton Sheriff Court on September 9 2020 before being allowed back on the streets.

Simion - who has a long-term partner - had denied the accusations at trial and his lawyer yesterday said he continued to protest his innocence.

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Louise Arrol KC, defending, said: "Somewhat concerning is that there is really nothing to note in his background that might shed any light to this offending behaviour."

The advocate told the hearing Simion had been under the influence of alcohol at the time.

Janice Green, defending Paduraru, said he claimed to have no memory of the sex attack, but accepted responsibility due to the evidence.

Sentencing, Lady Stacey told Simion: "It is very concerning that you committed two serious crimes in the space of less than a year - the second one while on bail.

"You claimed to the social worker (in a report) not to understand why anyone would force another person into sex.

"That is exactly what you did. Neither of the women could consent to sex and could not defend themselves against you."

Addressing Paduraru, the judge said: "The woman (in his charge) had been going out having been at home.

"She was walking in an underpass when you and Simion decided to take advantage of her."

Both were placed on the sex offenders list and are likely to be returned to their homeland on their release.