A MAN has been jailed following a horror campaign of physical and sexual abuse against two women across Ayrshire.

John Sturgeon was sentenced to eight years in prison after being convicted of a series of sexual abuse offences which took place across the county.

The 41-year-old preyed on the victims, repeatedly raping both of them, at locations in Kilwinning, Irvine and Kilmarnock.

The property manager also called them vile names, controlled where they went and monitored their phones.

When he was found guilty at the High Court in Glasgow last month, jurors heard he treated one like a "dog or slave" by repeatedly snapping his fingers to immediately attend to him.

Sturgeon had denied the accusations during this trial.

Giving evidence on the day he was due to get married, he claimed the victims were "describing someone he is not".

Sturgeon was also guilty of the attempted rape of the latter woman. The crimes occurred between 2018 and 2021.

He also raped the first woman at a holiday lodge near Dundee.

Sturgeon, who once held senior roles in hospitality, had previously known the first victim, but had got back in touch via Instagram.

She soon suffered at his hands. He would torment her by criticising her appearance, hound her by phone, text and email as well as limit her seeing family and friends.

Jurors last month heard of a video clip which captured Sturgeon making "rude and pretty offensive remarks" to the woman.

He also punched this victim and hurt her by hurling a mobile phone at her.

Sturgeon was quizzed during his evidence by his KC, Gary Allan, about the rape allegations.

But, Sturgeon insisted: "I have never demanded anything in a sexual way."

The second woman suffered a similar ordeal.

Mr Allan put to him at one stage: "Were you trying to treat her like some sort of dog or slave by clicking your fingers at her?"

Sturgeon said: "Definitely not."

The trial also heard evidence that he got her to take part in a "rape role play".

Sturgeon told the court: "Total fabrication. It did not happen."

Prosecutors said he also made this victim send him naked photos of herself and film an intimate video. Sturgeon further threatened to make a false allegation to police about the woman.

Mr Allan asked Sturgeon if he was telling lies while in the witness box.

He replied: "Definitely not. They are trying to describe me as something I am not.

"For some strange reason, I am sitting here listening to two women describe someone who is not me."

But jurors found him guilty of a total of 10 charges.

He was convicted of raping and sexually assaulting both, as well as abusive conduct towards the pair.

Sturgeon, latterly of Rosyth, Fife, returned to the High Court on Wednesday, July 3, for sentencing.

His eight-year jail term was welcomed by Detective Constable John Shaw of the Ayrshire Domestic Abuse Investigation Unit, who commended the complainers in this case for the courage they showed in coming forward.

He said: “Sturgeon is an abusive individual who showed no remorse for his violent and abusive behaviour against these women.

"I would like to commend the women for their strength in coming forward during the investigation. Their information was essential in helping us build the case against him, and I hope this outcome provides them with some sense of closure.

“If anyone is experiencing or has experienced any type of violence or sexual abuse, please report it.

"We have detectives dedicated to investigating such offences. You can be assured that you will be fully supported by officers and our partner agencies."