A man with a history of violent crime in Perth has been returned to custody following a disturbing incident in Luncarty, mere days after his release from a lengthy prison sentence. Ryan Stewart, 40, admitted to threatening and abusive behavior, which culminated in him hurling a knife at a friend, piercing a door.
The incident unfolded just four days after Stewart was granted his freedom, having spent nearly a decade incarcerated for an attempted murder. His defence cited that the abrupt transition back into civilian life, coupled with the pressure of making independent decisions after so long behind bars, left him feeling “completely overwhelmed.” This disorientation, his solicitor explained to Perth Sheriff Court, led to a paranoid and agitated state, and tragically, a relapse into drug use.
On April 14, at an address in the quiet village of Luncarty, Stewart’s behaviour escalated dramatically. Witnesses described him as appearing to be under the influence of drugs, exhibiting signs of severe paranoia. He was overheard making distressing phone calls, uttering chilling threats such as, “You don’t know who I am. You should have done your f***ing research,” followed by threats to stab the woman who had offered him shelter, and her mother. The situation climaxed when he threw a knife at his friend, which narrowly missed her and embedded itself in a door. The occupants of the house, terrified by his actions, managed to persuade him to relinquish another blade before police arrived to find them in tears. The Long Shadow of Past Violence
Sheriff William Wood, presiding over the case at Perth Sheriff Court, unequivocally condemned Stewart’s actions. He noted the gravity of the offence, emphasizing the terrifying experience endured by the victim, and pointed out the stark reality of Stewart’s choices. “This is all your doing,” the Sheriff stated, addressing Stewart directly. He highlighted Stewart’s significant criminal record, which includes a conviction for attempted murder in 2016.
That previous conviction, a “brutal and unprovoked” knife attack in Perth, resulted in an eight-and-a-half-year prison sentence. During that horrific assault, his victim sustained 20 wounds, with one injury penetrating the sac around the heart, and multiple slashes inflicted upon the face with a craft knife. This violent past provided a grim backdrop to the recent events, underlining the seriousness of his current relapse. The Imperative of Deterrence and Responsibility
Sheriff Wood stressed the necessity of deterring such behaviour and impressed upon Stewart the importance of taking personal responsibility for his actions. He underscored that despite his time in custody and his subsequent release, choosing to consume valium and engage in threatening conduct was entirely his decision. “You were let out at the end of the sentence,” the Sheriff reminded him. “This lady, who knows you, decides to offer you somewhere to stay. She takes you in. You take valium. You decide to do that. You throw a knife towards her.”
The court’s decision reflects a clear message: accountability for one’s actions, especially following a period of rehabilitation. The Sheriff’s remarks also touched upon the broader societal expectation for individuals re-entering communities like Perth and Kinross after prolonged incarceration. “You have got to be deterred from behaving like this,” he stated. “If you get out you have got to make a positive effort to go straight and not take drugs.”
For the recent offence, Ryan Stewart was sentenced to two years in prison. In addition, the court imposed a further 12 months of supervised release, a measure intended to provide structured support and oversight upon his eventual release, aiming to prevent a repeat of this disturbing pattern. This sentence highlights the ongoing challenges of reintegration for individuals with complex histories, and the critical need for personal commitment to a crime-free life, particularly in managing underlying issues such as drug dependency.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the complexities involved in offender rehabilitation and the potential impact on local communities. Ensuring the safety and well-being of residents in areas such as Luncarty and wider Perthshire remains a priority for the justice system and local authorities, while also acknowledging the profound responsibility individuals bear for their choices.
The incident unfolded just four days after Stewart was granted his freedom, having spent nearly a decade incarcerated for an attempted murder. His defence cited that the abrupt transition back into civilian life, coupled with the pressure of making independent decisions after so long behind bars, left him feeling “completely overwhelmed.” This disorientation, his solicitor explained to Perth Sheriff Court, led to a paranoid and agitated state, and tragically, a relapse into drug use.
On April 14, at an address in the quiet village of Luncarty, Stewart’s behaviour escalated dramatically. Witnesses described him as appearing to be under the influence of drugs, exhibiting signs of severe paranoia. He was overheard making distressing phone calls, uttering chilling threats such as, “You don’t know who I am. You should have done your f***ing research,” followed by threats to stab the woman who had offered him shelter, and her mother. The situation climaxed when he threw a knife at his friend, which narrowly missed her and embedded itself in a door. The occupants of the house, terrified by his actions, managed to persuade him to relinquish another blade before police arrived to find them in tears. The Long Shadow of Past Violence
Sheriff William Wood, presiding over the case at Perth Sheriff Court, unequivocally condemned Stewart’s actions. He noted the gravity of the offence, emphasizing the terrifying experience endured by the victim, and pointed out the stark reality of Stewart’s choices. “This is all your doing,” the Sheriff stated, addressing Stewart directly. He highlighted Stewart’s significant criminal record, which includes a conviction for attempted murder in 2016.
That previous conviction, a “brutal and unprovoked” knife attack in Perth, resulted in an eight-and-a-half-year prison sentence. During that horrific assault, his victim sustained 20 wounds, with one injury penetrating the sac around the heart, and multiple slashes inflicted upon the face with a craft knife. This violent past provided a grim backdrop to the recent events, underlining the seriousness of his current relapse. The Imperative of Deterrence and Responsibility
Sheriff Wood stressed the necessity of deterring such behaviour and impressed upon Stewart the importance of taking personal responsibility for his actions. He underscored that despite his time in custody and his subsequent release, choosing to consume valium and engage in threatening conduct was entirely his decision. “You were let out at the end of the sentence,” the Sheriff reminded him. “This lady, who knows you, decides to offer you somewhere to stay. She takes you in. You take valium. You decide to do that. You throw a knife towards her.”
The court’s decision reflects a clear message: accountability for one’s actions, especially following a period of rehabilitation. The Sheriff’s remarks also touched upon the broader societal expectation for individuals re-entering communities like Perth and Kinross after prolonged incarceration. “You have got to be deterred from behaving like this,” he stated. “If you get out you have got to make a positive effort to go straight and not take drugs.”
For the recent offence, Ryan Stewart was sentenced to two years in prison. In addition, the court imposed a further 12 months of supervised release, a measure intended to provide structured support and oversight upon his eventual release, aiming to prevent a repeat of this disturbing pattern. This sentence highlights the ongoing challenges of reintegration for individuals with complex histories, and the critical need for personal commitment to a crime-free life, particularly in managing underlying issues such as drug dependency.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the complexities involved in offender rehabilitation and the potential impact on local communities. Ensuring the safety and well-being of residents in areas such as Luncarty and wider Perthshire remains a priority for the justice system and local authorities, while also acknowledging the profound responsibility individuals bear for their choices.