A BRUTAL serial domestic abuser who subjected a string of women to horrific violent and degrading attacks has been jailed for almost four years.

Nigel King was convicted of attacking three women over a period spanning more than 10 years at various addresses in Dunfermline, Fife.

The attacker - who has more than 50 previous convictions including assaults, carrying a knife, breach of the peace, theft and motoring offences - denied all the allegations against him and made the women come to court and give evidence during a lengthy trial at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court.

In his first attack - that took place some time between July 2002 and December 2006 - he hurled a knife at Nicola Fisher at a house in Walls Place, Dunfermline.

Then he launched a string of attacks on Rachel Dorris between November 2010 and September 2011.

In one he pushed her into a bath and caused her to strike a wall.

King then lifted a sofa she was sitting on - sending her tumbling to the floor - before repeatedly threatening to kill her.

He then kicked her repeatedly on the head and body and stood over her while holding a knife, brandishing it at her.

In a separate attack King punched Miss Dorris on the face, causing her to fall to the ground and strike her face against the ground to her injury.

And in a third incident King pulled her down a flight of stairs, causing her to fall to the ground.

King then spat on her face and threw a lit cigarette at her.

Then, in March last year, King attacked Emma Jackson - repeatedly punching her on the head and body and pushing her.

He then pulled a cable from the wall, wrapped it round his hands and threatened to kill her.

That attack took place while he was subject to five separate bail orders.

Later that month he sent an abusive message to Linda Tully in which he uttered threats.

King, 32, a prisoner at HMP Perth, was found guilty on indictment by a jury after a week long trial.

He was convicted of five charges of assault, one of sending threatening messages and one of breaching bail.

Defence solicitor Ian Beatson said: "He is currently serving another sentence that he received in October of last year.

"He is making use of his time within prison and is doing various courses.

"On his release he hopes to leave with his parents for a short period.

"He wants to make a clean break."

Sheriff Alistair Thornton jailed King for a total of 45 months, and imposed a post-release supervision order for one year.

He said: "In view of your substantial record, the nature of the offences and previous difficulties which have existed with compliance with court orders then I'm of the view that in this case the only appropriate sentence is custody.

"This will be served consecutively to the sentence you are currently serving."