A SERIAL domestic abuser who claimed he was the victim was today jailed for 12 years.

Craig Harkins, 40, was convicted of a catalogue of offences involving four partners.

He raped two of the woman and repeated physically assaulted all four.

The offences took place over more that 12 years between 2006 and 2019 These included raping two of the women as well as assault and threatening behaviour.

At the High Court in Glasgow judge Lady Rae told Harkins: “The evidence from all the complainers revealed you as a manipulative, violent and controlling man, who would do anything to get his own way.

“It seems to me that, at times, you gained pleasure from abusing your victims. You take no responsibility for the crimes you have committed and thus have expressed no remorse whatsoever. You see yourself as the victim. In my view you are a serious risk to women who may enter a relationship with you.”

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Lady Rae ordered Harkins to be placed on the sex offenders' register and to be monitored in the community for five years after his release for prison.

During Harkin's trial one of his victims revealed how she kept a heartbreaking diary of her suffering at his hands.

The mum was preyed upon by Craig Harkins and this included raping her as her children screamed nearby.

Jurors also heard claims Harkins drowned her young son's hamster, blow-dried it before putting the pet back in its cage for the boy to find it. Although he was cleared of this.

He also put three further partners through horrific ordeals.

One was raped, left blistered by bleach and had eye-lashes pulled out.

Another was left concussed while pregnant and Harkins also threatened to video-call footage of him attacking her elderly father.

The final woman was battered amid false claims she had flirted with a hotel waiter.

The crimes were committed between September 2006 and early 2019 at various locations including Glasgow's Castlemilk as well as Rutherglen and East Kilbride, Lanarkshire.

Harkins was initially described by partners as “fun loving” and “charming”.

But, he quickly turned into a violent bully, who controlled the lives of the women.

The first victim told how he sneered at her: “Begging is a sign of weakness.”

Harkins, of Rutherglen, went on to indecently assault and choke her when she refused sex.

In March 2011, Harkins raped the woman in the bathroom at his home.

Another partner was later raped – and accused of being “a drama queen”.

He also grabbed a bottle of bleach and “skooshed” it in her face and eyes.

The woman said she was in excruciating” pain and Harkins said: “Look at you – you are just bothered so you can flutter your eyes at the guys'.”

Harkins then yanked out her fake eye-lashes. She was left with blisters on her face.

The woman told the trial: “He said he would video-call him punching my dad. He is in his 70s. My dad was unaware what was going on.”

The court heard of other occasions where this victim was left concussed three times – twice when pregnant. She also had a knife held at her throat.

A further girlfriend recalled him being “venomous” during a stay at Marriott Hotel in Glasgow one Hogmanay because he thought she was flirting with a waiter.

Mr McKenna told jurors: “He formed the impression she was being suggestive and flirting with a waiter.”

He was described as “foaming at the mouth” when he physically assaulted her in the room.

Harkins, who was represented by QC Donald Findlay, continues to protest his innocence.

He appeared on court via a video link from prison.