A MAN who raped three women over a two-year-period has been given a lifelong order and told it will be five years before he can apply for parole.

The High Court of Glasgow heard that William Sands, 53, of Friars Vennel, Dumfries, presents a significant danger to women.

He carried out the offences between April, 2010, and August, 2012, at addresses in Dumfries and Annan.

Sands protests his innocence and claims his victims made up lies about him.

Yesterday judge Kenneth McIver QC told Sands: "You are a violent and abusive individual. A serial sexual predator who preyed on vulnerable women. You were convicted in 1986 for rape and sentenced to five years and convicted of assault and robbery with a significant sexual offence in 1994 and jailed for seven years."

He ordered Sands to serve five years before being eligible to apply for parole. The parole board will release Sands only when he no longer poses a danger.