A SERIAL sex attacker is behind bars after raping a woman more than 1,000 times.

John Dickson preyed on his then partner up to four times a week for five years.

Dickson abused other lovers during a lengthy campaign of terror – including hurling his deadly 9ft pet snake at one.

The 38-year-old also carried out a nasty sex assault on a busy train.

Dickson admitted being a violent bully - but denied to jurors that he was a rapist.

But, he now faces a lengthy jail-term after being convicted of five charges including rape and domestic abuse.

The ex-labourer will learn his fate later this month.

The crimes occurred between 2000 and 2017, mainly in Motherwell, Lanarkshire.

Jurors at the High Court in Glasgow heard how the first victim suffered horrifically at his hands.

The mum recalled how he would “pester” her for hours for sex.

Dickson forced himself on her, despite a time she was in pain and stitches from a recent hospital stay.

The trial was told matters often “got so bad” the woman would be “in tears” when he had sex with her.

She recalled: “I would say to him, ‘No, I don’t want to’.”

The victim remembered his “wandering hands” and she would desperately try to protect herself.

Dickson claimed any sex was consensual.

Judge Graham Buchanan remanded Dickson in custody as sentencing was deferred for reports.