Euan Struthers, 52, punched one woman, pushed her onto a bed, and held a black bag over her head.

A court heard it was only by managing to puncture the bag that the victim was able to breathe.

The attack occurred at a house in Stenhousemuir, Falkirk, between January 1998 and December 1999.

Struthers, formerly of Denny, subjected the woman to other attacks, including throwing boiling water at her, holding her head under water, and beating her up which left her with cracked ribs and bruising.

He also suspended her over bannisters, threw her down a flight of stairs, and burned some of her clothes.

During another incident while the woman was pregnant, Struthers forced her out of a car onto the hard shoulder of the M9 between Stirling services and Dunblane.

Struthers was said to have attacked the woman's father and his own brother when they tried to put a stop to his behaviour.

'It is despicable for a human being to do what you did to her'

Judge Lady Poole stated: "It is despicable for a human being to do what you did to her."

Struthers then tried to murder a second woman at a house in Edinburgh between September 2009 and May 2013.

During the attack he threw a table at her, which caused her to fall to the floor. Struthers then pinned her down and throttled her.

The second woman was also subjected to "horrific abuse", including having chip pan oil thrown at her.

Lady Poole stated: "The level of depravity and cruelty of which you were capable is astonishing."

A third victim was also shouted and swore at, and a television pulled from a wall during an incident at a house in Larbert in June 2017.

Lady Poole said: "She gave you somewhere to stay and a relationship, and yet you abused her."

Read more from Sky News:
Man jailed for murdering brother, partner and cat
'Cruel predator' jailed for raping two men

Struthers' offending began in 1992 and continued until 2017.

Lady Poole said: "Your actions made your victims suffer, both physically and mentally.

"They are to be commended for their courage in coming to court to give evidence against you, which was clearly difficult for them."

'Society will not tolerate domestic abuse'

Struthers was convicted of 15 charges last month - including two attempted murders, multiple assaults, breaches of the peace, wilful fire-raising, and threatening and abusive behaviour - following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh.

Lady Poole stated: "As I said to you when you were convicted, society will not tolerate domestic abuse, and the court's sentence must reflect that."

Struthers was handed a 15-year extended sentence on Friday, with 12 years behind bars and three years on licence once released back into the community.

He was also banned from contacting his victims for life.

The court heard Struthers had a "long three-page record" of previous convictions, which included attempted abduction and multiple crimes against partners.

Lady Poole said: "You have continued to deny your guilt and shown no remorse."