STEPHEN CONWAY FROM KIRKCALDY CONVICTED OF DOMESTIC ABUSE AND VIOLENCE IN PERTH

A 37-year-old man named Stephen Conway has been found guilty by a jury at Perth Sheriff Court of committing a series of domestic abuse and violent acts that spanned over a period of more than seven years. The court heard detailed accounts of his aggressive behavior towards two former partners, with incidents dating from 2010 to 2017.

Conway was convicted of physically assaulting one of his former partners on multiple occasions within their shared residence in Kirkcaldy. The assaults included severe acts such as throttling her, applying pressure to her neck, and making threats to kill her during various episodes. These violent episodes took place at their home in Kirkcaldy, where Conway’s aggressive behavior created an environment of fear and danger for the victim.

In addition to his violence towards the woman, Conway also inflicted harm on her pet dog, Enzo, a crossbreed between a collie and Staffordshire terrier. The abuse was so severe that Enzo was left traumatized to the point that he had to be euthanized. The victim described how Enzo was attempting to protect her when Conway threw him onto the sofa and struck him multiple times, illustrating the brutality of his actions. This incident added to the overall picture of his violent conduct.

Beyond physical violence, Conway was also guilty of verbal abuse and destructive behavior within the household. Witnesses reported that he smashed fixtures and fittings in their home, further destabilizing the environment and endangering the safety of his partner. His actions not only caused physical harm but also heightened the emotional and psychological distress experienced by the victim.

Furthermore, Conway was convicted of abusing a second partner during a period from July 2016 to March 2017. During this time, he engaged in threatening behavior, including threatening to pour boiling water on her and holding a hot kettle over her head. His physical assaults during this period included throttling, scratching, punching, and restraining her. He also demanded money from her, adding financial coercion to his list of abusive tactics.

Despite the conviction, Conway denied all the charges brought against him. However, the jury found him guilty of all allegations, confirming the severity of his actions. The case was prosecuted by the Crown, and the sheriff decided to defer sentencing to allow for the preparation of social work reports, which are often used to assess the defendant’s background and potential risk.

Following the verdict, Conway was remanded in custody. The sheriff expressed serious concern about the danger Conway poses to women in domestic settings. In his remarks, he stated, "Over three days, you have been standing trial in relation to very serious matters concerning the way in which you conducted your relationships. You have been found guilty of assaulting each of them and putting them in a state of fear or alarm through your threatening or abusive behaviour. I am concerned at the seriousness of the charges and the prospect that you pose a real danger to other women within a domestic setting."