A MAN is behind bars amid claims he violently raped a woman in Paisley as she walked alone in the early hours of the morning.

Stanislaw Merdacz, originally from Poland but now living in the Gallowhill area of town, appeared at Paisley Sheriff Court yesterday over the alleged attack on the 40-year-old woman on Sunday, November 27.

He is accused of grabbing her by the body, forcing her to the ground, raining punches on her head and clamping his hand over her mouth.

Merdacz, 38, is then said to have held her, pulled off her lower clothing, pulled rings from her fingers, tried to get her to perform sex acts on him and raped her.

Prosecutors claim the attack took place on a grassed area at the junction of Shortroods Road and Mosslands Road.

The woman managed to get help from residents of a nearby house and the police were contacted.

She was taken to the town's Royal Alexandra Hospital for treatment while police officers launched an investigation.

During the probe, suspicion fell on Merdacz and he was arrested.

He was held in police custody overnight before appearing in court yesterday afternoon.

Merdacz was represented by defence solicitor Terry Gallanagh during the private hearing, where he made no plea or declaration to the single charge against him, brought under Sections 1 and 2 of the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009.

Sheriff Seith Ireland continued the case for prosecutors to investigate further and remanded Merdacz in custody.

He is expected to appear in court again next week to be fully committed for trial.