Greenock rapist has died in prison before he could face justice over a fresh attack

Paul Dowds — who was listed indefinitely as a sex offender — was rushed to hospital after collapsing at Low Moss jail.

The Scottish Prison Service confirmed yesterday that 45-year-old Dowds died on July 10.

He was sentenced to seven years imprisonment for a violent sex attack in 2007 and twice breached the terms of his supervised release after being freed in 2011.

The Telegraph told in 2018 how he and his half-brother Kevin Johnstone targeted the Carwood Court sheltered housing complex and were caught trying the doors of elderly residents' homes.

Dowds flouted strict sex register rules by going AWOL in Greenock for five days.

He went missing after 'falling out' with his girlfriend, the town's sheriff court was told.

It is thought he was suffering from a medical condition at the time of his death.

He had been awaiting trial after being remanded in custody on a charge of assault to severe injury

A source said: "He was a hated individual, what he did to his victim and the trauma he caused her was absolutely appalling."

Dowds last year went missing and was later tracked down to Blackpool’s Victoria Hospital 220 miles from home — after being stabbed.

He was found three weeks after he vanished from Greenock amid claims he'd been targeted by vigilantes.

An SPS spokesman said: "Paul Dowds, 45, an untried prisoner from HMP Low Moss, has died.

"Police Scotland have been informed and the matter reported to the procurator fiscal.

"A Fatal Accident Inquiry will be held in due course."