THE victims of a brutal sex fiend who raped and physically abused women have been praised for helping to bring him to justice.

Steven Preston, 25, was convicted of committing the offences over a four-year-period, from June 2011 until November 2015, in Johnstone, Howwood, Renfrew, Paisley, Bearsden and Dalmuir.

Social workers have assessed him as a danger to women and, at the High Court in Glasgow last week, he was handed an eight-year prison sentence.

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Preston will also be monitored in the community for two years after his release from jail.

Detective Inspector Steven McMillan, from the Police Scotland Domestic Abuse Task Force, said the abuse carried out by Preston will affect his two victims “for the rest of their lives.”

He added: “I must thank these women for having the strength to come forward and report the years of abuse that they have endured and the courage they’ve shown throughout the investigation.

“I hope this outcome gives the women some sort of closure and sends a clear message to anyone who thinks it’s acceptable to treat anyone in this way.”

Dad-of-three Preston was convicted after trial of assaulting one of the women while she was pregnant by pushing and pulling her, throwing her to the ground, punching her on the body and slapping her on the face.

The assaults took place at houses in Johnstone, Howwood and Bearsden.

He also raped the woman on various occasions between June 2011 and August 2012 at properties in Howwood and Bearsden.

Preston’s other victim was raped at a flat in Renfrew and a house in Dalmuir, with these offences taking place between July 2012 and November 2015.

At addresses in Johnstone, Paisley and Renfrew, he called her derogatory names, repeatedly punched her, slapped her on the body and, on one occasion, threw a bottle at her.

Defence advocate Donna Armstrong said Preston had suffered “a turbulent childhood.”

She added: “He has anger management issues but wants to address his problems. He now accepts responsibility for these offences and demonstrates insight into the suffering of his victims.”

However, Judge Lord Clark told Preston the court must seek to deter him and others from violently and sexually assaulting women.

He added: “You have been convicted of assaulting one woman and subjecting her to sexual assault and rape. You did the same to another woman. These offences took place over a number of years.

“One victim says in her victim impact statement this has had a deep and lasting effect on her, as it must have had on the other woman.

“You are assessed as a high risk of causing harm to any woman with whom you have a relationship.”

Preston, who is a prisoner in Low Moss, Bishopbriggs, showed no emotion as he was led away to begin his sentence.

Det Insp McMillan is hoping Preston’s punishment will encourage other victims of abuse to come forward.

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He said: “Police Scotland is committed to tackling domestic abuse and no-one should ever feel they are alone or in a position of fear.

“I would encourage anyone to report domestic abuse in any form, as all reports will be thoroughly investigated and we will continue to work with partner agencies to ensure victims of domestic abuse are supported and to ensure their wellbeing.”