Victims of Kiwi-born 'Tinder rapist' say he is 'the devil' in Melbourne court

Glenn Hartland
Glenn Hartland Photo credit: Facebook

A serial rapist has pleaded guilty to three counts of rape and one count of indecent assault.

New Zealand-born man Glenn Hartland raped three women in their homes between 2014 and 2016, after they told him they wished to end their relationship.

He indecently assaulted a fourth woman in the toilet of a St Kilda hotel, where he pinned the woman to the wall and tore off her underwear.

The 44-year-old appeared in Melbourne's County Court on Monday and three of his victims detailed how their lives have been torn apart by his assault.

The brother of the fourth victim spoke of the "permanent and unforgivable" damage his family has suffered, after she took her own life earlier this year, reports The Age.

Her brother said she could never come to terms with what happened to her, and became depressed.

Hartland's surviving victims spoke of being objectified and manipulated. One likened him to "the devil."

Another said she has been broken by the attack.

"I feel like my spirit has been broken and I struggle to see how it would be back to normal again," she told the court.

His victims told the court how Hartland used a false name on Tinder, and would woo them with grandiose romantic gestures, reports The Age. 

He would lie about his hobbies and occupation, and then become enraged when his lies unravelled.

When the women tried to break up with him, he would threaten self-harm. Then he would show up at their homes, and force himself on them.

Hartland previously attempted to plead not guilty, but has since rescinded this plea.

He was born in New Zealand and became a ward of the state at the age of 12 months. His barrister, Greg Barnes noted Hartland's troubled childhood and substance abuse issues, as well as mental health issues.

Two of his victims described Barnes' comments as "disingenuous."

"I've heard it all before," said one woman. "It's his 'I'm a victim, poor me' routine."

He will be sentenced on May 10.

Newshub.