A CONVICTED sex offender who subjected a terrified woman to a series of violent sexual assaults has been jailed.

Jamie Collins, 32, preyed on the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, at locations in Stewarton and Glasgow between October 2006 and March 2018. 

The High Court in Glasgow heard how the Collins’s abuse was so bad, his victim once stated: “I don’t want to be alive.”

On Thursday, at the High Court in Edinburgh, judge Lord Tyre sent Collins to prison for seven years. 

Passing sentence, Lord Tyre told Collins that custody was the only option available to him. 

He added: “The crime of rape is one of the most serious offences in our system of law. 

"Forcible penetration has a lasting and devastating effect on complainers who come to this court. 

“There is only one sentence which the court can impose in these circumstances and that is prison.”

Collins, formerly of Dennistoun, Glasgow, was convicted on charges of rape and physical assault at the city’s High Court last month. The physical assaults took place between 2006 and 2018.

Sentence had been deferred for the court to obtain reports about Collins’s character. 

He was previously convicted of having underage sex with a girl at Glasgow Sheriff Court in 2007.

The victim in that case was aged just 13 when Collins targeted her. He managed to avoid a prison sentence in that case. 

At proceedings last month, Collins was convicted on two rape and one assault charges. 

A jury heard how the woman texted Collins after being raped. 

She told him: “What you done to me is not normal. You have made me feel totally worthless. 

“I don’t want to be alive after what you’ve done. I don’t know what I have done to be treated like that.”

On Thursday, defence counsel Mark Moir told the court that his client appreciated that he was facing a prison sentence for his crimes. 

Mr Moir added: “He accepts that his conduct during this time was reprehensible.

“He fully appreciates that he is facing a lengthy custodial sentence.”

Police Scotland launched an investigation into Collins in March 2018 following a report of years of abuse.

Detective Constable Colin Jones said: “Jamie Collins was a violent man who subjected his former partner to serious and violent abuse throughout their relationship.

“Thankfully she found the courage to come forward to police and report what was happening to her and we, as a result of the information she provided, were able to secure this conviction.

“His conviction and sentencing for domestic abuse related offences sends a clear message that we will always investigate reports of domestic abuse whether recent or not.

“I would encourage anyone who is experiencing or has experienced domestic abuse to contact police; it is never too late to report to the police or to seek support and advice from one of our partner agencies."

Police Scotland can be contacted by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency.