A thug who insisted he tried to be a "great boyfriend" has been convicted of raping and trying to kill a former partner.

Martin Myles left the woman in agony and begging for help following the horror attack at a flat in Airdrie, North Lanarkshire, in April 2020.

The 39-year-old denied being violent and claimed the victim was instead injured following a fight with two other women.

Myles, also of Airdrie, now faces a lengthy jail-term after being convicted of rape and attempted murder, a separate rape charge, assault as well as acting in a threatening and abusive manner.

He had been on bail at the High Court in Glasgow but was today remanded in custody pending sentencing next month.

Jurors heard how Myles carried out sex attacks on the woman in 2018 and 2019.

The victim would pretend she was asleep hoping he would stop or feel so helpless that she would simply stare into space.

She also suffered at his violent hands with her being described as "covered in bruises".

However, Myles insisted any marks were often caused by the woman's "own misfortune" and not by him.

The rape and murder bid then occurred on April 25 and 26, 2020.

Prosecutor Victoria Dow put to Myles during his evidence that the woman "nearly died" having suffered a "traumatic injury" to her bowel.

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She said: "You do not accept it was caused by forceful kicks by you?"

Myles replied: "No."

The trial heard the callous thug then repeatedly refused to let the distressed victim get medical help.

He claimed she was hurt after getting into a row with two women.

Ms Dow asked: "So, according to you, there was no aggression between you and her that night?"

Myles replied: "We had a bit of an argument."

The advocate depute asked: "Looking at your police interview, you [were] a great boyfriend during the relationship?"

He replied: "I tried my best, yes."

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It was later put to Myles that it must have been a "real surprise" to then be blamed for the crimes.

He told jurors: "It was a big shock that she had told paramedics that I had assaulted her."

Myles also stated any sex was consensual.

Lord Stuart deferred sentencing for reports.