A MAN who tried to rape two women within the space of 40 minutes has been given a life sentence.

David McGurk, 35, of Cambuslang, admitted attempting to rape them on November 2, last year, in the town.

He told police when caught: “I don't know what happened. I go crazy on red wine. How are the two girls? Is that me going on the sex offenders' register?”

The two incidents took place within five miles of each other between 11pm and 11.40pm.

At the time, McGurk was under supervision after being given a three-year community payback order in 2015 following an assault on a woman with a knife.

On Friday at the High Court in Glasgow, judge Lady Rae told McGurk: “Both women were strangers to you and both offences were committed within an hour of each other. The attacks were violent in nature though, fortunately, each woman was able to fight you off.

“However, their experience at your hands must have been frightening and traumatic. These offences were committed while you were under supervision.

“I consider you present a serious risk to the public, and mainly to women.”

The court heard that McGurk, who has a number of complex mental health issues, has concerning behaviour towards women and had also began to access pornography – some of which depicted sexual violence.

Lady Rae placed McGurk on an order for lifelong restriction – which is similar to a life sentence.

He was given a punishment sentence of 26 months, but told by Lady Rae he will only be released when the Parole Board for Scotland is satisfied he no longer presents a danger to the public.