Abuser who treated victim like a 'dog or slave' jailed for eight years

John Sturgeon treated one of his victims like a dog, a jury heard.

Abuser who treated victim like a ‘dog or slave’ jailed for eight years Police Scotland

A property manager who carried out a horror campaign of physical and sexual abuse against two women has been jailed for eight years.

John Sturgeon preyed on the victims including repeatedly raping both.

The 41-year-old also called them vile names, controlled where they went and interrogated their phones.

Jurors heard he treated one like a “dog or slave” by repeatedly snapping his fingers to immediately attend to him.

Sturgeon denied the accusations during a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

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

But, jurors found him guilty of a total of ten charges.

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

Sturgeon was also guilty of the attempted rape of the latter woman.

Judge Lord Arthurson imposed an indefinite non-harassment order prohibiting Sturgeon’s contact with his victims.

The crimes occurred between 2018 and 2021 in Kilmarnock, Kilwinning and Irvine.

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

Sturgeon, latterly of Rosyth, Fife, was remanded in custody as sentencing was deferred until next month.

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 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.

The second woman suffered a similar ordeal.

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 her listening to two women describe someone who is not me.”

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