A convicted rapist released early on licence from an eight-year sentence violently assaulted a woman he met on a dating website.

The High Court in Glasgow heard how Ryan Lafferty, 29, permanently disfigured his victim's face after he dubbed her as a "psycho". 

Lafferty punched Cheryl McGrath following an argument the two had after Lafferty revealed he had a pregnant girlfriend. As a result, his victim suffered from a fractured eye socket and her right eyeball is slightly sunken. 

The brutal assault took place at Lafferty's home at Baird Place, Bellshill, on March 30, last year.

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Lafferty, who was jailed for eight years in 2013 for the rape of a 19-year-old woman in Glasgow's West End, was let out of prison on October 3, 2018, after serving just over five years.

Just five months later he attacked Ms McGrath.

Judge Lady Stacey ordered Lafferty to serve the remaining part of his sentence for rape and then jailed him for an additional three years and 10 months.

Lady Stacey told him: “What you did that night was disgraceful. You have said you are ashamed of what you did – you ought to be. It is absolutely disgraceful behaviour.

“You were out early from your prison sentence and breached the trust which was placed in you.”

The court heard the couple linked up on a dating app and had met on two previous occasions and Ms McGrath, had agreed to spend the weekend at Lafferty's flat.

The argument sparked after the two drank whisky and cola and had consensual sex, but around 4am an argument spared after Lafferty told his victim he was in a relationship with another woman who was carrying his child. 

Prosecutor Patricia Comiskey said: “He called her a psycho, a slut and said no wonder no one loves you.

“He then apologised, but when she went to leave he pushed her and she struck her head on the floor and started crying.”

The court heard that Lafferty told her he did not want her to leave and punched her twice on the right eye.

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She fled to the bathroom and locked it, but Lafferty kicked his way in, then pushed her to the ground and kicked her on her back as she lay there.

Ms McGrath managed to dial 999 and Lafferty was arrested.

When he was in Motherwell Police Station he tried to head butt a police officer and pled guilty to obstructing police in their lawful duty.

Defence counsel Euan Dow said: “He met the complainer on a dating website. They went to his flat, drank alcohol and then had sex.

“Up until then there had been no issue and it had been her intention to spend the weekend at his flat.

“But shortly before 4am he felt guilty and told her he was in a relationship with a woman who was pregnant. Perhaps understandably the complainer became upset."

“The argument escalated and he pushed her in the chest causing her to fall to the ground and strike her head on the floor. He then punched her twice and kicked her on the back."

“The violence was grossly disproportionate. He wishes to express his remorse for his actions.”"