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Two thugs who abducted and raped a teenager after duping her into a bogus taxi at New Year have been convicted.

The 18-year-old was duped into Abel Muntean's car after leaving a Kirkcaldy nightclub in the early hours of 1st January 2017.

But after asking to be taken home, the predator, 19, drove her to a house where he and pal Raul Covaci Novac, 34, 'brutally' beat and sexually assaulted her.

The vile pair held their victim in the property for a period of several hours.

A jury today found Muntean guilty of abduction, assault, sexual assault and rape at the Edinburgh High Court following a probe by Fife's Divisional Rape Investigation Unit.

They also convicted Novac of assault and rape.

Both have been locked ahead of sentencing for their "calculated and brutal attack" on July 4.

Detective Sergeant Calum Lawrie of the DRIU said: "These two men preyed on a young, vulnerable woman who was simply looking to get home after celebrating the New Year.

(Image: Daily Record)

"Instead she was duped into entering a vehicle she believed to be a taxi, taken to a property against her will and was subjected to a number of violent, horrific attacks.

"I commend her bravery in coming forward to report these assaults and her strength in going through these traumatic events again when the pair denied what they had done. I hope she can find some comfort in their convictions.

"Muntean knowingly pretended to be a taxi driver and along with Novac carried out a calculated and brutal attack, and they will receive custodial sentences as a result.

"We will always do everything possible to thoroughly investigate any report of sexual assault or rape we receive, providing specialist support to the victim and working tirelessly to put those responsible before the courts."