Steven Ramage targeted his victim at various addresses in the Ayrshire area between May 2014 and January 2020.

The 38-year-old was found guilty of raping his former partner on various occasions over a five-year period, including while she was asleep.

He would choke her until she became unconscious before subjecting her to serious sexual assaults, to her injury and danger of life. Ramage also held her head under water whilst she was bathing before raping her on a different occasion.

The accused also breached strict bail conditions forbidding him from contacting his victim in January 2020.

He has now been given an 11-year extended sentence with eight years’ imprisonment and his name has been added to the sex offenders register for an indefinite period.

A non-harassment order was also granted, banning Ramage from contacting or attempting to contact his victim.

Procurator fiscal for High Court sexual offending, Katrina Parkes said: “Steven Ramage is a controlling and violent individual who subjected his victim to unimaginable levels of abuse and trauma while showing a complete and callous disregard for her safety.

“He will now have to face the consequences of his horrific actions. This conviction was only made possible thanks to the bravery of his victim for reporting the abuse. I hope this brings her some comfort and a sense of justice, knowing she has been heard and believed.”