Derek Lewis previously appeared at the High Court in Edinburgh on 13 November where he pleaded guilty to three charges. The court heard how the 40-year-old attacked the first victim after she visited a supermarket on South Ward Road shortly after 9.20pm on 20 February 2024.

He initially tried to talk to the female student, who could not understand what he was saying, before she walked past him. The woman was then grabbed from behind with the accused covering her mouth with his hand as she tried to scream.

Lewis then let her go and ran away after a car drove past. The attack was reported the following day. At around 11pm that same evening, three flatmates discovered Derek Lewis had entered their city centre accommodation without their knowledge or consent.

He was found in the bathroom, standing near a knife that had been taken from the kitchen. After being ejected from the property, a second knife was discovered on a chest of drawers in a bedroom. Police were called.

A second student was then attacked by Lewis on King Street shortly after 11.30pm. He seized hold of the woman as she tried to escape before dragging her into a nearby bushy area.

The attack only ended after a member of the public heard shouts for help and confronted Lewis, who ran away. Police were called and the accused was traced through CCTV footage at approximately 12.05am on 21 February 2024.

On 3 December 2024, at the High Court in Stirling, Lewis was given an extended sentence of 10 years and eight months.The custodial part of the sentence was set at six years and eight months.

His name has been added to the sex offenders register indefinitely.

Procurator Fiscal for High Court sexual offending, Katrina Parkes, said: “Derek Lewis is a dangerous individual who preyed on these two women as they were walking home. The trauma inflicted by this type of behaviour is unimaginable.

“His offending resulted in an additional three people being left in fear after discovering him inside their home, where they should have been safe.

“I hope this prosecution brings some assurance to the local community and beyond that COPFS takes this type of criminal conduct extremely seriously.

“I would urge anyone who has been the victim of similar offending to come forward and report it. You will be listened to and supported as we use all the tools available to use to seek justice.”