STEVEN MCKEE SLAMANNAN CRIMINALS' NIGHTMARE: RAPE AND DOMESTIC ABUSE SENTENCED IN EDINBURGH

A man with a deeply troubling criminal history, Steven McKee, 49, from Slamannan, has been formally sentenced for a series of heinous crimes including sexual assault and psychological abuse against a woman. The proceedings took place at the High Court in Edinburgh, where the court heard harrowing details of his misconduct and the extensive pattern of violence and manipulation he inflicted upon his victim.

McKee’s criminal activities began after his early release from prison in June 2019. Over the course of several months, from June to October 2019, he engaged in repeated sexual assaults at various locations, including St Andrews in Fife and Glasgow. His victim, a woman aged 34, initially believed she was forming a friendship with McKee out of loneliness, but this relationship quickly turned into a nightmare of coercion and abuse.

According to court records, McKee exploited her trust by engaging in intimate encounters, only to later threaten her with blackmail. He used private images and videos to coerce her into continuing their relationship, threatening to share these with her partner, family, and friends. He also employed emotional manipulation, threatening self-harm if she refused to see him, and relentlessly contacted her through calls, messages, and verbal abuse. At one point, he even contacted her partner under false pretenses, falsely claiming they were together, further escalating her distress.

The court was told that McKee explicitly told the woman he would “destroy her life” if she did not comply with his demands. Her ordeal culminated in her decision to report him to the police, which led to a detailed investigation. The evidence presented in court painted a picture of systematic abuse, including blackmail, coercion, and repeated sexual assault, all of which the jury found proved her claims beyond reasonable doubt.

Lady Poole, the presiding judge, highlighted McKee’s extensive and violent criminal record. Notably, he had previously been sentenced to 14 years for attempted murder in 2011, after attacking his then-partner Lisa Whyte, who had called off their wedding. The attack involved stabbing her multiple times, including a near-fatal wound where a large kitchen knife was embedded in her neck, narrowly avoiding her death. Despite serving time, McKee was released on licence but continued to pose a threat to women.

In the current case, McKee was convicted of rape and psychological abuse. The court’s sentence included a Lifelong Restriction order, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the danger he poses to society. Lady Poole emphasized that McKee’s violent history and the nature of his recent offences marked him as a high-risk individual, necessitating strict supervision and control for the rest of his life.

He was also ordered to serve an additional two years and two months for his earlier attempted murder, with the total period to be served before he could be considered for parole. The court made it clear that McKee’s release would be conditional, subject to ongoing supervision, and he would remain on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

During the proceedings, McKee, observing via videolink from prison, displayed defiance by shouting, “Bring on my appeal!” His attitude underscored the ongoing tension between his denial and the court’s assessment of his dangerousness.

In her sentencing statement, Lady Poole detailed the horrific nature of McKee’s crimes. She recounted how he manipulated the victim into a false sense of trust, then subjected her to months of abuse, including blackmail, threats, and repeated sexual assaults. The court also noted his concerning criminal history, including the attempted murder of Lisa Whyte in 2010, where he left her bleeding with a knife embedded in her neck, and subsequent convictions for assault, vandalism, and other violent offences.

Lady Poole stressed that McKee’s pattern of offending, especially against women he believed he was in relationships with, demonstrated a dangerous and unrepentant character. The court’s decision to impose a lifelong restriction order was based on the need to protect the public from further harm. The minimum period of imprisonment before he could be considered for release was set at four years, a figure calculated based on the severity of his crimes and legal guidelines.

Furthermore, McKee’s legal obligations include indefinite registration under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, and he remains subject to non-harassment orders issued by the High Court on 18 May 2022. The court’s ruling underscores the seriousness with which the justice system views his actions and the ongoing risk he poses to society.