Unemployed Mark Campbell, 37, murdered his girlfriend through a sustained attack in the hours after inducing her to discharge herself from hospital.

He was found guilty of murdering Jane Fitzpatrick, 48 – his partner of 18 months – by striking her repeatedly about the head and body with a heavy metal lever.

Six other women also gave evidence of abuse and assaults to which they were subjected by Campbell during a campaign of offending which began in 2003. He was convicted of a total of 14 charges, including four counts of rape.

A jury heard that his final victim, Ms Fitzpatrick, 48, was controlled, threatened and abused by Campbell during the course of their relationship.

On 7 August 2021, she was admitted to Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy, for treatment to a pre-existing head injury but left with Campbell against medical advice.

They went together to a secluded yard in Glenrothes where Campbell tried to source drugs. While there, he carried out the fatal assault on his partner then attempted to avoid detection by driving off with her body.

Prosecutors also presented evidence of the violent abuse of six other women by Campbell in the years leading up to the murder of Ms Fitzpatrick. Three victims were raped.

At the High Court in Edinburgh yesterday Campbell was imprisoned for life and ordered to serve a minimum of 27 years.

His name was added to the sex offenders register indefinitely.

Procurator fiscal for homicide, David Green, said Campbell was a serial offender who presented a danger to women he encountered.

He said: “Mark Campbell’s behaviour towards women over the course of nearly 20 years has been contemptible. Jane Fitzpatrick’s life was controlled by him and ultimately ended by his violence. Her family and friends are left to try and cope with their terrible loss.

“I commend the brave women who came forward to give evidence against this man. Their courage helped COPFS prosecutors bring Campbell to justice. I would urge any victim of violence and abuse, or anyone who witnesses such offending, to come forward, report it and seek help.

“Our thoughts are now with those women who spoke out against Campbell, and with the loved ones of Jane Fitzpatrick.”