A SERIAL sex beast who once attacked a young woman at knifepoint in Johnstone has today been found guilty of an attempted rape on a teenager. 

Sean Moynihan, 34, carried out the vicious attack on the then 15-year-old girl on a cycle track in Paisley near to the town's Castle Gardens back in May 2008. 

The victim reported the attack immediately and worked with police and chiefs at the National Rape Task Force during the course of the decade-long investigation.

Police have called Moynihan a 'despicable individual' and say Renfrewshire is safer now that he is behind bars. 

Moynihan is currently serving time for the rape of an 18-year-old victim at knifepoint in Johnstone in 2014. 

The serial rapist was earlier jailed in 2009 for raping a 16-year-old in Paisley who thought his car was a taxi home. 

He gained further notoriety after he slashed serial killer Peter Tobin in his jail cell because he was 'annoying him'. 

Speaking after today's verdict at the High Court in Livingston, Detective Sergeant Julie Nedley, Specialist Crime Division said: “Sean Moynihan is a despicable individual - demonstrated by the fact that this is his third similar conviction for serious sexual offences committed against teenage girls unknown to him.

“He put each of his victims through the trauma of a trial and reliving their ordeals in a courtroom and has shown not one scrap of remorse.

“Renfrewshire is a safer place with him behind bars.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to commend the victim of today’s trial who has displayed incredible bravery and dignity both during her ordeal and throughout the almost 11 years it has taken to bring Sean Moynihan to justice.

“She has lived with the threats of him hanging over her for the last decade and only now can she feel safe in the knowledge that he is finally being held accountable for his actions.

“I’d also like to pay a special tribute to the courage of a previous victim of Moynihan who was brave enough to give evidence again, at this trial, which I’ve no doubt helped secure this additional conviction.

“The actions of Moynihan have deeply impacted on the lives of his victims and their families and I sincerely hope that today’s verdict brings them some comfort and closure and let them move on towards rebuilding their lives.

"I would like to take this opportunity to urge anyone who has been subjected to any form of sexual abuse to come forward and let us help you get the support that you deserve.”

Moynihan will return to the High Court at a later date for sentencing.