A PREDATOR who “boasted of his sexual exploits” has been jailed for nine years for the rape of two women.

Craig Higgins pounced on a victim in a graveyard in 2018 – eight years after his first attack.

The earlier crime occurred after the 37 year-old sneaked into the sleeping woman's bedroom and raped her.

Higgins, of Stevenston had denied the accusations during a trial last month.

But, the sex attacker was described by a judge as having a “despicable attitude” to women who he viewed as “objects”.

Lady Rae today locked him up at the High Court in Glasgow.

She also ordered he be monitored for three years on his release due to the danger he poses.

The judge told Higgins: “You raped two women, who, at the time, were in a vulnerable state.

“The first was in her own bedroom when you entered uninvited and took advantage of her.

“The second was intoxicated when you are seen leading her from a taxi to a church graveyard where you raped her.”

The judge blasted Higgins' “arrogance” and how he had tried to “demean” the women during his evidence.

She went on: “You accused both of lying, but the only person lying was you.

“You told the jury that you regularly boasted of your sexual exploits.”

The attack in July 2018 happened outside St John's Church in Stevenston.

The victim had earlier travelled back from the TRNSMT music festival in Glasgow.

Higgins was in a bar she went to after returning. She branded him “a creep”.

The woman recalled later being invited to a house party by a friend. 

Her next memory was wakening up with Higgins on top of her in the church grounds.

She told the trial: “I don't know if I was screaming or just screaming in my head.

“I felt as if I was just watching what was happening to myself. I did not know if I would get home to my kids again.”

The woman tried hitting Higgins, but felt like she could not move properly.

Two men passing by then rushed to her aid as Higgins pulled up his trousers.

The sex attacker managed to flee the scene. The woman said she felt “dirty” after her ordeal.

She went on: “I did not want to get out of my bed. I did not want to speak to anyone. My life was never going to be the same again.”

She initially did not to tell her mum as it would “break her heart”. It was days later before the woman bravely went to police.

It then emerged Higgins – who has a previous conviction for sexual exposure - had also raped the other woman in Stevenson in 2010.

Prosecutor Alan Mackay told jurors: “Each involved him taking advantage of an unconscious woman.”

The court heard today Higgins maintains his innocence.