A Perth mixed martial arts fighter has been convicted of raping two women.
Octavian Moasea, 32, preyed on his victims at locations in Glenrothes and Glasgow between November 2020 and January 2022.
The High Court in Edinburgh heard how Moasea told one of the women that he had taken part in MMA bouts – and she told jurors of how she was scared of him because of his background as a fighter.
The story emerged after the Romanian citizen, who lives in Perth, was found guilty on Monday afternoon on two charges of rape and two charges of threatening behaviour.
He had spent proceedings denying any wrongdoing. But jurors convicted him after spending time deliberating their verdicts.
Remanded in custody
Judge Olga Pasportnikov remanded Moasea in custody ahead of a sentencing hearing next month.
She told the accused: “Bail will be revoked and sentence will be deferred for the preparation of a criminal justice social work report.”
During proceedings, one of Moasea’s victims told the court of how she was intimidated by him during his attacks on her which took place in Glasgow.
She said: “I was physically weaker than he was.
“I was absolutely scared of him. I knew what he was capable of.”
She said: “He was a mixed martial arts fighter. He was very proud of his fights.
“He showed me clips of him fighting as well. He would describe what he was doing in the gym.
“He told me what holds he could do.”
She told the court of how Moasea raped her.
The woman added: “He pulled my underwear down.”
Previous jail time in Germany
The court also heard evidence of how Moasea also targeted a second woman in Fife.
He was eventually brought to justice after police learned about his activities.
Detectives launched an investigation and gathered enough evidence to bring him to court to face proceedings.
Following the verdict, it emerged that Moasea had previous convictions – he has served a 10 month prison sentence in Germany on a charge which was described as a “false imprisonment” and “grevious bodily harm” offence.
Defence advocate Simon Gilbride said he’d reserve his mitigation for the sentencing hearing next month.
He added: “There’s nothing I can usefully add at this stage.”
Moasea will next appear in court on July 28 at the High Court in Edinburgh when he will be sentenced by judge Pasportnikov.
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