A FORMER pipe band member is behind bars after sex attacks on three women.

Paul Edwardson preyed on his victims including one forced to fake a panic attack to get him away.

The 23-year-old had denied the crimes during a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

But, he was found guilty of raping two of the young women and assaulting the other with intent to rape.

He pleaded guilty before the trial to having underage sex with a teenage girl.

The offences occurred between 2017 and 2021 mainly at Edwardson's home in Dumbarton.

Edwardson had been on bail, but he was remanded in custody by judge Lord Scott.

He will learn his fate when he returns to the dock next month in Lanark.

The first rape victim was attacked after she had fallen asleep.

In his speech to jurors, prosecutor John McElroy KC told jurors: "She was pinned down by her wrists, she told him to stop, he was not listening and he had sex with her."

The next victim was preyed upon after she had also started to fall asleep.

Mr McElroy: "She did not want sex. It takes her faking a panic attack to put him off."

This victim told the trial she had been insistent with Edwardson.

She added: "One obvious way was me telling him I did not to - I told him multiple times.

"If that was not coming across then I had to take extra measures to do something."

After the intent to rape attack, the young woman was described by a friend as "distraught" and "speaking at 100mph".

The jury heard of texts where the victim confronted Edwardson about what happened.

He stated: "I am so sorry. I did not even think."

The other rape victim said she had no recollection of having any sexual contact.

Mr McElroy stated: "The last thing she can remember before waking up naked on top of a bare mattress is going to bed because she was drunk."

Jurors heard evidence Edwardson went on to wash the victim and her clothes said to have been in a bid to "hide the evidence" of what he did.

Edwardson gave evidence in the trial. It was alleged the women "told lie after lie".

Mr McElroy: "I suggest that you would be entitled to the view this is a desperate claim by a desperate man."

It was also heard during the trial how creepy Edwardson would talk about his late mum and show photos of her grave in an apparent attempt at getting young women to feel sorry for him.

Sentencing was deferred for reports.