A serial sex offender who told police he was an “animal” who needed to be “put down” has been given a lifelong restriction order.
Martin Smith struck for the third time in nine years last summer when he followed a stranger off a bus and pinned her against a car in Aberdeen’s Westray Road.
He then attempted to rape the woman in her 20s after ordering her to take off all her clothes.
The former soldier’s terrified victim began to scream as he stuffed his fingers in her mouth in an attempt to stifle her cries.
But the 27-year-old was forced to flee the scene before he could take the attack any further as nearby residents heard her sobbing and came to help.
He admitted carrying out the assault with intent to rape when he first appeared at the High Court in Glasgow.
And yesterday, the repeat offender appeared for sentence at the High Court in Stirling.
He was placed on a life long restriction order – meaning he will only be released when he is deemed safe.
The judge also ordered that he serve a minimum of period of two years and three months behind bars before he is even considered for parole.
In 2006, Smith was detained for four years for abduction and intent to rape.
In that incident, he also followed a nurse off a bus and attacked her in the grounds of Aberdeen’s Woodend Hospital.
He was freed early in March 2008 – but months later he struck again.
During his second sexually motivated offence he pounced on a woman at a block of flats in Aberdeen before covering her mouth and warning her not to scream.
The victim bit his hand and he ran off.
When police caught Smith after his attack last year, he told them: “I’m sick. I just need to be put down.”
Advocate depute Alan Cameron said he targeted his victim in the early hours of July 26 as she returned home from a night out in Aberdeen city centre.
Police launched a manhunt and one officer – who had dealt with Smith in the past – believed he could be involved.
When officers arrived at his home in the city’s North Anderson Drive they found him in “apparent distress”.
He then blurted out to officers: “Why did you not just let me die? I am just an animal.
“I did not mean it – just leave me. What have I done? I don’t know what came over me.
“I’m sick, I just need to be put down.”
Smith also insisted he “deserved to be locked away”.
