In a case that has sent shockwaves through Glasgow and beyond, Mihai Nicolae Patran, a 34-year-old Romanian national, has been sentenced to nine years in prison for the rape of a young doctor in the early hours of November 26, 2023. The harrowing assault, which took place on Mitchell Street in Glasgow’s city centre, has been described by the presiding judge as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by women, especially in urban environments late at night.
The victim, a 27-year-old doctor who had recently moved to Glasgow to begin her new job, recounted her traumatic ordeal during Patran’s trial at the High Court in Glasgow. According to STV News and the Daily Record, she had spent the evening at a house party in the city’s West End before deciding to join friends who had moved on to the city centre. However, after being delayed and unable to contact the others, she found herself alone and searching for a Taco Bell restaurant to grab some food after the bars had closed.
It was on Mitchell Street that the night took a terrifying turn. The doctor described how she was approached by a man who emerged from an alleyway. “I think I would describe it as complete disassociation. I was just so scared. I think I kind of mentally froze,” she told prosecutor Greg Farrell, her testimony delivered from behind screens to protect her privacy. She recalled the man giving her “commands” with an aggressive, commanding tone, using words like “f***” and “do it,” and ultimately forcing her to the ground and raping her.
“I remember saying ‘stop’. I remember being so scared,” the victim told the court. She described repeatedly telling her attacker to stop, but her pleas were ignored. “I do not think I could have made it any more apparent that I did not want any of it,” she stated, according to the Daily Record.
After the assault, the woman managed to escape, naked from the waist down, and ran to order a taxi. She recalled the urgency and panic of the moment: “I remember managing to walk out the bay (the doorway). I remember I got my phone and quickly ordered an Uber taxi – thankfully it came quite quickly. I ran down the road. I think I was so clear cut about getting out, I did not take my trousers, pants or anything. I just needed to get home.” Once inside the taxi, she told the driver, almost matter-of-factly, that she had been raped, admitting later that she was in complete shock and just relieved to be away from the scene.
The subsequent police investigation led to Patran’s arrest. It emerged during the trial that he had no permanent address and had previously been involved in other sexual offences. Notably, just over a month before the rape, on October 22, 2023, Patran had exposed himself to a woman on a train between Perth and Stirling, an incident confirmed by both BBC News and STV News.
Patran’s disturbing behavior did not stop at the crime scene. During his first court appearance at Glasgow Sheriff Court, he performed a sex act on himself while sitting in the dock, handcuffed to a female prison custody officer. The officer later stated, “I was shocked. I did not know what to do, whether to interrupt the court or not. I kind of froze.” This incident led to further police involvement and underscored the court’s assessment of Patran as a persistent threat.
Throughout the trial, Patran maintained a special defence, claiming that the doctor had consented to sex. However, the jury found him guilty of rape and two other charges, including the previous act of public indecency on the train. The verdict was unanimous, and Patran was placed on the sex offenders list indefinitely, according to reports from STV News and the Daily Record.
At sentencing on November 10, 2025, Judge Norman McFadyen did not mince words. Addressing Patran directly, he said, “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.” The judge also considered the possibility that Patran might not be deported and could eventually be released back into the community. “In that event, it seems clear to me the risk you present is such, that the period you be subject to supervision on licence as part of a custodial sentence would not be sufficient for the protection of the public from serious harm. It is therefore appropriate to pass an extended sentence.”
As a result, beyond the nine-year prison term, Patran will be subject to an additional three years of supervision upon his release. This extended sentence is intended to provide further protection to the public, reflecting the court’s deep concerns about the ongoing risk he poses.
The case has prompted renewed conversations across Scotland about women’s safety in public spaces, particularly at night. Community leaders have pointed to the need for improved street lighting, increased police presence, and better access to safe transportation options. Advocates for survivors of sexual violence have also highlighted the importance of robust support services for victims, noting how the doctor’s courage in coming forward and testifying was instrumental in securing a conviction.
Patran’s actions in the courtroom, as well as his previous offence, have been cited by legal experts as evidence of a pattern of predatory and escalating behavior. The fact that he was a first offender with no permanent address complicated the court’s deliberations about sentencing and future risk management. Judge McFadyen’s remarks reflected a broader judicial concern about the adequacy of current supervision and deportation mechanisms for offenders who pose an ongoing danger.
For the victim, the ordeal has left lasting scars. Her testimony painted a picture of a night that began with ordinary plans and ended in terror, a reminder of the unpredictable threats that can lurk in even the most familiar city streets. Yet her willingness to recount the details of her assault—despite the trauma—ensured that justice was served and that Patran was held accountable for his actions.
As the city of Glasgow reflects on this case, the hope among many is that lessons will be learned and that both preventative and support measures will be strengthened. The case stands as a sobering example of the serious consequences of sexual violence, the resilience of survivors, and the critical role of the justice system in protecting the public from harm.
