A woman kept a heartbreaking diary of how she suffered at the hands of a serial domestic abuser.

The mum was preyed upon by Craig Harkins including 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.

The 39 year-old thug 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. 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.

Harkins could now face a possible life sentence after being convicted of a total of 16 charges following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

This included raping two of the women as well as crimes of assault and threatening behaviour.

Harkins – who was remanded in custody – will return to the dock next month.

The crimes occurred between September 2006 and early 2019.

Addresses listed on the charges included in 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 she was left cowering and pleading with him.

He sneered: “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.

In his speech to jurors, prosecutor Chris McKenna said: “She could see her children through the frosted glass shouting on her.”

The mum described feeling “disgusted and dirty”. The woman went on to note in a diary what happened.

She was quizzed about the many entries she made about her ordeal.

The victim stated in court the repeated abuse became so “second nature” she did not diary every incident.

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The woman said: “I did not always write it in because it was habit. If I did not act or do what he said, I would not see my kids.”

Harkins also flew into a rage when she stayed at a wedding after he left.

When the woman returned to his flat, he was hiding in the close and drenched her by hurling a bucket of water over her.

The woman said: “I was made to walk home with no shoes, wet clothes and no money.”

He also insisted she would “get taken away in a carpet” if she went to police.

Prosecutors also claimed Harkins “did drown a hamster” in front of the woman then put it back in a cage “knowing full well her son would find” his pet and be “distressed”.

This featured in a breach of the peace charge that was withdrawn.

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 – in “excruciating” pain at the time – told jurors: “He 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.

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In a separate incident, he poured a bottle of washing-up liquid over her after a Celtic and Rangers match.

Jealous Harkins earlier cut up an outfit she bought for a wedding and sent a pic stating: “You'll not be wearing that dress”. He added a “winking” emoji.

A later lover recalled being tormented in the lead-up to a relative's funeral.

After going into a jealous rage, the woman told Harkins not to return to her flat.

But, he then stormed back in the early hours angry at not getting in.

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.

Mr McKenna: “She was constantly walking on eggshells.”

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A further girlfriend recalled him being “venomous” during a stay at Marriott Hotel in Glasgow one Hogmanay.

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.

Lady Rae said she was calling for pre-sentencing reports, which could eventually lead to Harkins receiving an Order for Lifelong Restriction.

The judge told him: “It is difficult to find words to describe what you did.

“You treated women disgracefully with no regards for their feelings.

“The term 'domestic abuse' goes nowhere near describing your behaviour.

“Be under no illusion, whatever the sentence, it will be a significant one.”