Brutal rapist who cheated on his partners jailed for 12 years

Christopher Harkins specifically approached single women on dating websites, quickly became friends with them and gained their trust.

The 37-year-old posed as a successful businessman before claiming he was having problems with his bank account being blocked.

The Helensburgh man then asked some of his victims to lend him cash – several women borrowed “significant sums to help him”.

The sex offender also persuaded several women to transfer money to him for vacation trips and sent them screenshots of the alleged travel destinations.

In addition, he persuaded them to cover half the costs, but never booked the trips and did not return most of the funds given to him.

Harkins pleaded guilty to the fraud charges at the High Court in Glasgow on January 16.

Meanwhile, Harkins was found guilty of raping one of his former partners in a trial at the High Court in Paisley in May.

He was also found guilty of filming two women in intimate situations without their consent and then sending them the graphic content.

The thugs’ crimes occurred between 2013 and 2019 in the areas of Airdrie, Cumbernauld, Dumbarton, East Kilbride, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Paisley and Stirling.

Now Harkins was sentenced to 12 years in prison by the High Court in Kilmarnock on Wednesday, July 10.

His name was placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.

In addition, restraining orders were issued indefinitely preventing Harkins from contacting or attempting to contact ten victims.

Katrina Parkes, Crown Prosecutor for Sex Offences in Scotland, said: “Christopher Harkins clearly poses an extreme danger to women due to his calculating, manipulative and violent behaviour.

“His many victims have shown tremendous courage by coming forward and reporting him to the authorities.

“This conviction will hopefully provide some comfort to the women he targeted and protect others from his reprehensible schemes and depraved actions.

“This was a complex case and I thank the prosecution for their efforts in obtaining this conviction.

“We would like to encourage anyone who believes they have been a victim of similar crimes to come forward and file a report.

“We will listen to you and use all the means at our disposal to achieve justice.”