A RAPIST claimed he had been a good Samaritan who instead tried to stop an attack on a stranger.

James Black pounced on the 67 year-old woman in a quiet lane in Saltcoats last December.

Black was later held by police for an unrelated matter – and then made comments which linked him to the rape.

He claimed seeing a friend have sex with the screaming woman before punching the man to get him away.

But, a CCTV trawl found it was Black who had tailed the victim as she left a bar.

The 40-year-old is now behind bars after he today pled guilty to what a judge described as an “abhorrent” rape.

He will learn his fate next month.

The woman had been out at the Bar One in Saltcoats last December 8.

After leaving, she was walking down a darkened lane when Black grabbed her from behind.

Prosecutor Mark McGuire told the High Court in Glasgow: “Black placed his hands around her neck and forced her to the ground, where he tried to remove her boots.

“She kicked out to stop him. He then began pulling at her leggings.”

Black eventually overpowered the woman and raped her.

Mr McGuire told how the sex attacker remained silent throughout.

The badly bruised victim was initially reluctant to go the police – but her sister instead reported what happened.

Black, of Stevenston, North Ayrshire, was quizzed about another matter a week later.

Amongst other claims, he then stated: “That was not me. I chased a guy away from there.”

Mr McGuire: “His comments had no bearing for the matter he had been arrested, but clearly linked him to the rape.”

Black went on to insist he had clocked a friend “make love” to the woman and that he had hit this person.

He said “something bad had happened” and “she was very scared”.

But, the CCTV footage along with DNA evidence helped snare Black.

Lord Arthurson today told him: “This was a particularly despicable and abhorrent offence on a 67 year-old woman who was plainly a stranger to you.

“In due course, the court will impose a significant custodial sentence.”

Black will learn his fate next month in Edinburgh.