A SEX attacker who tortured and raped four girlfriends over a 20-year period is facing a life sentence.

A judge told thug John Walker that he was guilty of a "horrific catalogue of violence".

Walker battered and abused his victims including one pregnant woman who was attacked with a pole.

He also shoved another girlfriend into a coal fire before going on to rape a 16 year-old girl, after telling her he had promised her dead dad he would look after her.

Walker evaded justice for years until a daughter of one of his victims reported him to police.It sparked a large-scale probe into the abuse which finally saw Walker appear at the High Court in Glasgow.

He yesterday admitted five rape charges and four accusations of assault between 1988 to 2009.

Walker now faces being hit with an Order for Lifelong Restriction when he returns to the dock in February.

His first victim, now aged 43, was subjected to his violent temper for five years until 1993.

The assaults - at properties in both Glasgow and Clydebank - saw the woman being kicked and stamped upon.

She was also repeatedly smacked with a wooden pole while pregnant and on another occasion Walker tried to strangle her.

The court heard Walker then raped the woman shortly after she had been released from a stay in hospital.

Judge Bill Dunlop QC told Walker: "The charges you have pled guilty to are a horrific catalogue of domestic violence over a lengthy period of time."

The judge placed Walker on the sex offenders list, remanded him in custody and deferred sentencing for reports including a risk assessment.