A GALASHIELS man has admitted 10 domestic abuse offences involving five women stretching back almost three decades.

Forty-nine-year-old Colin Bell, of Woodstock Road, pleaded guilty to the charges shortly before a trial – which was expected to last five days – was due to get under way at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

He admitted assaulting one of the women to her injury and danger of life at a house in Galashiels, between November 1996, and March 2019.

Bell pleaded guilty to engaging in a course of conduct which was abusive to four other ex-partners over lengthy periods.

The five other charges he admitted related to indecent assault, two counts of assault to injury and two breach of the peace offences.

Not guilty pleas to seven other charges including indecent assault and assault to injury were accepted by the Crown. 

Sentence was deferred until Monday (October 7) for background reports and Bell was remanded in custody.

He has also been made subject to the notification requirements of the Sexual Offences Act.