A YOUNG sex attacker who raped a teenage girl has been locked up for four years.

Lochlann Harris, from Renfrew, preyed on the 15-year-old at a house in Stewarton on September 7, 2019.

The now 19-year-old went on to sexually assault a young woman 18 months later.

Harris was convicted of the attacks following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow last month before returning for sentencing.

As well as custody, Judge John McCormick also put Harris on the sex offenders list.

The rape occurred after Harris had just turned 16 himself.

Prosecutors stated the attack involved the young victim being pushed causing her to fall onto a bed.

Harris was then on bail when he struck again at Lainshaw Woods in Stewarton on April 17, 2021.

The sexual assault charge stated Harris inappropriately touched this victim.

Geoffrey Forbes, defending, told the sentencing hearing: "While accepting the verdict of the jury, he maintains his denial of the charges."

The advocate added Harris was a first offender with no pending matters.

Sentencing, Judge McCormick told Harris: "A custodial sentence, you are sensible enough to know, is inevitable."

"I am also aware of the cumulative effect of sentencing young people of your age...of a sentence for one charge then add on a sentence for a second.

"Having regard all factors, I intend to impose an in cumulo sentence treating it effectively as a course of conduct.

"The appropriate sentence is one of four years.

"I am mitigating that to take account for the reasons mentioned in particular your age."

"If it had not been for that factor - in particular your age at the time - the sentence would have been substantially higher."