A Kilwinning man who carried out a horrific and sustained campaign of domestic abuse against two former partners has been spared jail.

Thug John Smyth kicked one of his victims repeatedly in the stomach while she was pregnant after pushing her out of bed.

The 56-year-old strangled the woman, repeatedly hit her head off a table and repeatedly spat on her head.

The terrifying abuse happened at Smyth’s former home in Irvine’s Garnock Court high flats and at an address in John Kennedy Place, Kilmarnock between January 1995 and November 2001.

Smyth, of David Gage Street, Kilwinning, appeared at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court for sentencing last week after pleading guilty to repeatedly assaulting the woman to her injury.

Smyth admitted seizing the woman by the clothing and pushing her on the body, causing her to fall to the ground. 

He also spat on her head, forcibly ejected her from the property, and locked the door.

Smyth also pleaded guilty to repeatedly pushing the woman out of the bed while she was pregnant, causing her to fall to the floor, and repeatedly kicking her on the stomach while she was on the ground.

He also seized the woman by the body, pushed her and spat at her, and dragged her along the ground by the hair.

The Crown's indictment states he also repeatedly struck the woman’s head on a table, repeatedly spat on her head and poured water over her head.

He then pushed her, pinned her to a bed, straddled her and repeatedly placing his hand round her throat and compressed neck, causing her breathing to be restricted.

As well as the horrifying series of attacks on one former partner, Smyth also admitted assaulting a second ex, again to her injury, at his Kilwinning home address between April 2017 and September 2018.

He also threw a glass causing it to hit the wall and smash, as well as spitting on the woman’s head.

Not guilty pleas to a further three charges were accepted by prosecutors.

Sheriff Colin Bisset placed Smyth under supervision for two years as part of a community payback order.

He was ordered to take part in the Caledonia Programme, which addresses male domestic violence against women.

He will also have to remain home from 7pm-7am for nine months.