A SERIAL sex attacker already serving a life sentence has been convicted of raping a teenage girl.

Steven Stalley preyed on the vulnerable victim just minutes after meeting her for the first time.

The 35-year-old predator told jurors any sexual contact was consensual despite him being a stranger to the girl, who was around 14 at the time. 

But, he was convicted of rape today following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

Prosecutors stated the attack occurred on a date between 2008 and 2010 at a location in Linwood.

The young victim had bravely come forward in March 2021 after Stalley had been found guilty of a string of sex crimes against women at the same court that year.

This included the rape of one who was chillingly told during an attack: "You will enjoy it eventually."

In July 2021, Stalley was eventually hit with an Order for Lifelong Restriction (OLR) - a form of life sentence - and told he must serve a minimum of six years behind bars.

Stalley appeared from HMP Glenochil for this latest trial.

Judge Tom Hughes told him that he could not impose a second OLR.

He went on to sentence him to two years for the rape to run from today.

Judge Hughes stated: "In case there is any doubt about this, this is a life sentence that you are getting.

"This punishment part (two years) is simply an acknowledgement to the Parole Board that they should take into account whenever they are considering your future."

Stalley gave a sarcastic thumbs up and remarked "thank you" towards the jury as he was led handcuffed back to the cells.

READ NEXT: Fury over Ally McCoist's plan to build new residential development

The court heard how the victim had ended up at the flat in Linwood with at least one friend.

Stalley - nicknamed Steg - was also there.

He was described by one witness as someone who had an "unusual look in his eye".

Sinister Stalley soon gave the girl alcohol, she ended up falling asleep and awoke to find Stalley having sex with her.

Jurors heard he only stopped when there was banging at the front door.

The girl was said to be "visibly upset" after her ordeal.

In her evidence, it was put to the victim that she had agreed to have sex with the stranger.

But, she replied: "That is not the case at all."

Stalley also testified during the trial. He was described by his own lawyer in court as "not the brightest spark on the planet".

Stalley said he had been chatting to the girl for around 30 minutes at the flat - it is thought to have been much less time - before there was sexual activity.

He added the teenager "never said 'no'."

But, in his closing speech, prosecutor Ali Murray put to the jury: "I invite you to take the view that Steven Stalley took advantage of the girl and is nothing more than a sexual predator."

Sentencing, Judge Hughes said he hoped the victim would take "comfort" in that her evidence was believed in what was a "nasty offence".

He told Stalley: "The position is quite clear in that she has suffered very bad psychological consequences."

Stalley was previously handed the OLR for the rape of three women and the stalking of nine others between 2007 and 2018 in Renfrewshire.

He again had claimed then that any sex was with agreement.