A FIFE man has been jailed for a "horrific" series of domestic and sexual offences against five women, over the course of 14 years.

Andrew Ferguson, from Cairneyhill, was handed eight years in prison at Glasgow High Court today for the offences, which include rape and assault.

The 35-year-old carried out his attacks at in west Fife, Alloa and Dundee.

Ferguson was previously found guilty of the offences at Edinburgh High Court on 23 December 2016.

Officers from Fife’s Domestic Abuse Investigation Unit began to investigate Ferguson in 2014 following a report of a domestic incident.

As a result of working with multiple partnership agencies, Ferguson was identified as a serial offender in violent crimes against women.

Five women disclosed that they were the victims of domestic and sexual crimes committed by Ferguson between 2000 and 2014.

Detective Inspector James Leeson, of Fife Division’s Domestic Abuse Investigation Unit, praised the strength of those woman who spoke out and gave evidence in court.

He said: “The suffering that these women endured and the subsequent trial as a result of Ferguson refusing to take responsibility for his horrific crimes was incredibly distressing.

“However, if it wasn’t for the courage that they showed by coming forward then it wouldn’t have been possible to bring him to justice, and we welcome this sentence. 

“I would like to thank each of these women and our partner agencies for all of their assistance and support throughout our enquiries and the subsequent trial. 

“I hope that this sentence will give these women some comfort and that they can now begin to move forward with their lives.”