Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs said Petrie had committed "a series of severely abusive, exploitative and violent crimes towards women.

"His offending is in stark contrast to the professionalism and commitment of the officers who investigated him and ultimately helped bring him to justice."

Mairs said Petrie's victims had shown great courage in reporting his crimes and that he hoped the sentence would bring them some "closure and comfort".

He added: "This investigation shows the public that when matters of this nature are reported to us, regardless of who the perpetrator is, victims will be listened to and supported as we take immediate action to identify, investigate and bring to justice those responsible."

Petrie's conviction raised fresh questions over background checks on police in Scotland.

In 2023, all UK forces carried out a "historic data wash" following the crimes of Met officers Wayne Couzens, who abducted and murdered Sarah Everard, and serial rapist David Carrick.

Officers and staff were checked against the national police data base to identify whether they had a criminal past which had been missed.

Police Scotland has said that the 2023 data wash had not identified any unknown information on Petrie.

Earlier this month the force's commanding officer, Chief Constable Jo Farrell, told BBC Scotland News that 45 serving officers were currently suspended over allegations of violence against women and girls.

Under new regulations brought into force this year, about 8,000 police officers and staff will undergo renewed vetting.

The process is prioritising long-serving officers and those who work closely with vulnerable people.