SHAUN STEWART OF KEIR HARDIE STREET, METHIL, SENTENCED TO 11 YEARS IN EDINBURGH FOR SERIOUS SEXUAL OFFENSES

Shaun Stewart, a 33-year-old man from Keir Hardie Street in Methil, has been sentenced to 11 years in prison following convictions for multiple serious sexual offenses. Stewart was found guilty of three counts of rape that occurred between 2010 and 2021. He had denied the charges during his trial. The court heard harrowing details of how he subjected two women to extreme sexual assaults. One victim was repeatedly attacked at locations in Fife and expressed fears that Stewart might seriously harm or kill her. During the assaults, Stewart was described as extremely dangerous, having throttled one victim by grabbing her neck and restricting her breathing, as well as hitting her on the head and kicking her body. A judge at the High Court in Edinburgh stated, "You have shown not a shred of remorse. I must proceed to sentence on the basis you are wholly unrepentant." The judge also highlighted that one of the victims had described the lasting and serious impact Stewart’s actions had on her. Throughout the trial, Stewart maintained his innocence, claiming he was the victim of a conspiracy, and showed no remorse or empathy for his victims. The court assessed him as a high risk of reoffending and ordered that he be monitored in the community for a further two years on licence, with the potential for imprisonment if he breaches conditions. Stewart was also placed on the indefinite sex offenders’ register and restrictions were imposed to prevent contact with the victims. The sentencing aims to serve as punishment, a deterrent, and a means of protecting the public from his dangerous conduct.