iStockA violent rapist has been convicted following a large-scale probe into his serial abuse of women.
Kenneth McCarron tormented a string of victims who suffered at his violent hands, two of which were raped by the 48-year-old.
McCarron was arrested in 2020 after police approached a number of women previously known to him.
A total of five victims then bravely reported abuse they had kept secret for years.
McCarron had been due to stand trial at the High Court in Glasgow.
But, he instead pleaded guilty to a total of seven charges of physical and sexual violence.
The crimes were committed between 1996 and 2019 at different addresses across Lanarkshire.
McCarron – who already had previous convictions for offences against women – had his remand in custody continued and he will be sentenced next month.
The first victim had been grabbed her by the throat and pinned to a bed. McCarron only let go when his victim began to cry.
He he attacked her again weeks later before going on to break her nose.
The second victim told police how she had surprised him one day by visiting him and bringing him lunch.
But, McCarron flew into a rage as he had been with friends. He branded her “a s**t”.
Prosecutor Greg Farrell told the court: “She was now terrified and repeatedly apologised.
“He was standing in front of he kitchen door and threw the roll she had brought him at her.
“He then grabbed her by the arm and pushed her out. She was visibly upset.”
On a later date, he accused her of “sleeping” with one of his friends, pinned her down and made to headbutt her.
The third victim had her lip burst after he demanded to know where she had been.
This woman recalled how she would then be assaulted “most days” leaving her badly bruised. There were also threats that he would “do her in”.
Mr Farrell said: “After these incidents, McCarron would sit next to her, kiss her and tell her that he loved her.”
But, on two occasions, McCarron raped her. She did not want to have sex, but was too scared of being assaulted again.
McCarron inflicted violence on another female by grabbing her and shoving her onto a bed.
He preyed on the final victim having met her on a dating site.
The court heard he forced himself on the woman, who was also scared that if she refused he would “flip his lid”.
Mr Farrell said: “She felt humiliated, tired and low in mood. Instead of resisting or saying no, she lay there not participating.
“Afterwards McCarron said: ‘I cannot believe that you let me have sex with you’.”
McCarron would also turn up at the woman’s work accusing her of “eyeing” other men up.
She once went on holiday with friends and he bombarded her with hateful messages including calling her “a c**” and “a w****”.
Mr Farrell said: “She felt ill and was terrified of him.”
On another occasion, he threatened to “stab” her in the grounds of a hospital after she had gone to visit a relative.
The woman was also sent sick “attention seeking” texts by him.
Mr Farrell said: “She received messages from his phone saying that ‘it’s Kenny’s sister’ and that she had found him dead.”
Another message, purporting to be McCarron’s brother, claimed he had self harmed.
The court heard all the women involved had been approached by police and confirmed there were “unreported” incidents of abuse involving McCarron.
McCarron was arrested in September 2020 following the probe. He was in HMP Barlinnie at the time.
Judge Douglas Brown deferred sentencing for reports.
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