A former personal trainer and bodybuilder has been jailed for repeatedly raping two women. Damien Harrier, 31, attacked three women during his campaign of abuse between 2018 and 2023, including one who he strangled.

He was convicted of nine offences, including five counts of rape, following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh before being jailed for 12 years on Friday (April 17). Harrier, formerly of Perth in Scotland, has also been put on the sex offenders register for life. The court heard how he met one of his victims while working as a personal trainer.

As reported by the Daily Record, Harrier began his offending in 2018 when he repeatedly raped a woman at a house in Perth between June and October. During one attack, he grabbed the victim's neck and restricted her breathing.

Then, between September 2021 and June 2022, Harrier launched a campaign of abuse against a second victim. He attacked her at locations in Perth, St Andrews and Dunfermline, as well as in a gym.

Harrier sexually assaulted the woman and isolated her from her friends. The court heard how he monitored her phone use and acted aggressively towards her.

Harrier also hit the woman during sex and subjected her to a penetrative sex attack. Meanwhile, a third victim was also targeted by the former personal trainer between August 2022 and February 2023.

He also stopped her from interacting with her friends and monitored her social media accounts. As well as raping her three times, Harrier also falsely accused her of giving him a sexually transmitted infection.

Angela Gray KC, defending Harrier, said he understood some of the damage he had caused by his crimes. She added he has promised to make the most of his time in custody and will educate himself through the Open University before being released.

Harrier told the court he took part in bodybuilding and was a personal trainer. However, he admitted that he was a jealous person and "suffered from low self esteem and questioned my worth".

Detective Sergeant Kelly Paton said: "Harrier abused these women both physically and emotionally and has been convicted of serious offences.

"I'd like to thank the women who engaged with police and told us what had happened to them. With their support we were able to bring this case before a court who ultimately found Harrier guilty of horrific abuse.

"Police Scotland will always thoroughly investigate, and we are here to listen and support victims. Anyone who is a victim of abuse or believes they know someone who may be a victim, please contact us or relevant support agencies."

A relative of one of the victims said: "She said that it happened on several occasions. She had asked him to stop and that he didn't or wouldn't and that he seemed to get a kick out of seeing her in pain and discomfort and saying 'no'."

Meanwhile, another victim, who met Harrier through her interest in bodybuilding, said: "I began to really like him. I felt he was quite a cool guy. Maybe something of a bad guy as well, but towards me he was affectionate."

However, she added: "He got super, super angry all of a sudden." She said he was "a big guy" and would act aggressively.