A Romanian national has been sentenced to nine years in prison after sexually assaulting a doctor on a busy Glasgow street, with the judge describing him as “a danger to women.”
Mihai Nicolae Patran, 34, attacked the 27-year-old victim in Mitchell Street in November 2023.
The horrifying incident ended only when the doctor managed to flee, partially clothed, into the safety of a waiting taxi.
Courtroom Shock as Defendant Misbehaves
The case shocked the courtroom not only because of the severity of the crime but also due to Patran’s behavior during his first court appearance.
While sitting in the dock, he performed a sex act on himself, leaving court officials stunned.
After a trial last month, he was found guilty and sentenced at Glasgow High Court.
Judge Norman McFadyen made it clear that Patran posed a continuing threat, saying: “You are a dangerous man and a danger to women.
It is hoped you will be deported or removed from the country at the earliest opportunity.”
Supervision After Release Considered
The judge also acknowledged the possibility that Patran might serve part of his sentence in Scotland.
In that scenario, he would be required to undergo three years of strict supervision upon release, due to the ongoing risk he posed to the public.
Victim Describes Terrifying Ordeal
The doctor, who had recently moved to Glasgow, recounted the terrifying attack.
She had been out at a party and decided to head into the city centre for a late-night snack, eventually walking toward Taco Bell on Mitchell Street.
She described sensing someone near her and then encountering Patran emerging from an alley.
“I was just so scared. I think I kind of mentally froze,” she told the court.
She described being on the ground with him looming over her before she managed to escape, grab her phone, and summon a taxi. “Thankfully it came quite quickly,” she added.
Prior Offences Come to Light
The court also heard that Patran had committed an indecent exposure on a train between Perth and Stirling just weeks before the Glasgow attack.
He had claimed during the investigation that the doctor had consented, a claim rejected by the jury.
Patran was found guilty on all counts and has been placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely, ensuring authorities are alerted to any future risk.
Police and Public Reaction
Following the attack, Patran was arrested and charged.
His disturbing actions both during the attack and in court have drawn widespread concern, with law enforcement emphasizing the importance of vigilance and reporting suspicious behavior in public spaces.