A SEX beast who took a woman to his Renfrewshire flat and subjected her to a rape ordeal was today jailed for four years.

Don Ferguson, 36, "picked up" his 25-year-old victim in Glasgow city centre and brought her back to his home in Underwood Road, Paisley, that night.

He then pounced on the woman, taking off her lower clothing and underwear before raping her.

Ferguson had denied committing the offence, which took place on September 2, 2018, but was convicted by a jury after a trial.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard that he has since accepted his guilt and was now offering an apology to the victim.

Sentencing Ferguson, judge Lord Sandison noted that he has no previous convictions.

He added: "The fact you come before the court today having been convicted of the very serious crime of rape seems to be the ultimate result of wrong turnings taken in your life."

Lord Sandison said Ferguson had "drifted away" from education and began to move in "a circle of street drinkers, drug takers and sex workers."

"You picked up and took home with you that unfortunate woman who became your victim," added the judge.

Ferguson, who watched the sentencing via a video link at Glasgow's Barlinnie Prison, was told he will be on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.

Defence counsel Geoff Forbes said a background report prepared on Ferguson was "very unusual," as he had made an admission of guilt and given a full explanation to a social worker.

Mr Forbes described it as a positive development that his client now accepted his guilt, adding: "He has asked me this morning, through the court, to apologise to the woman for his conduct towards her."

The defence counsel said that Ferguson intended to take advantage of any courses available to him during his sentence.