Man jailed for 12 years after campaign of domestic abuse against four women
Craig Harkins raped and assaulted the women over a 12 year period in Glasgow, Rutherglen and East Kilbride
Last updated 8th Jun 2020
A serial domestic abuser who raped and assaulted four women across Glasgow and the west has been jailed for 12 years.
Craig Harkins, 40, was convicted of a catalogue of offences involving four partners.
He raped two of the women and repeatedly physically assaulted all four. The offences took place over more than 12 years between 2006 and 2019.
These included raping two of the women as well as assault and threatening behaviour.
Harkins had claimed to be the victim of domestic abuse during his trial, but at the High Court in Glasgow on Monday judge Lady Rae told him: “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.”
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 heart-breaking diary of her suffering at his hands.
The mum was preyed upon by Craig Harkins. 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 Harkin 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.
Harkins, who was represented by QC Donald Findlay, continues to protest his innocence.
He appeared on court via a video link from prison.
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