A man with strong ties to Perthshire has been handed a significant additional jail term following two brutal and unprovoked assaults in Dundee, which left both victims requiring hospital treatment. Robert Stewart, whose address was noted in court as being in Milnathort, appeared at Dundee Sheriff Court to face the consequences of his violent actions.
The incident unfolded after a night out in Dundee, where Stewart first turned his aggression on his partner of three years. Later, in a separate but equally vicious attack, he assaulted a complete stranger. Both individuals suffered injuries severe enough to warrant admission to Ninewells Hospital, with one victim sustaining a fractured cheekbone that necessitated a prolonged liquid diet and significant weight loss.
Stewart, who was transported from HMP Perth for the proceedings, admitted to charges related to both assaults on Union Street, Dundee. These included punching his partner, causing her to fall and then striking her again while she was on the ground. He also confessed to repeatedly punching the male stranger, resulting in severe injury and permanent disfigurement. At the time of these offences, Stewart was already on two bail orders for previous violent and disorderly conduct, for which he has since been incarcerated. The Night’s Events Unfold in Dundee
According to the prosecution, the initial assault occurred late in the evening outside the Club Bar. Stewart’s partner approached door stewards, expressing concerns about his aggressive behaviour. Moments later, Stewart launched an unprovoked attack, punching her on the head and causing her to fall to the pavement, before striking her again as she lay there. Despite the severity of the attack, the woman, who sustained swelling to her left cheek and upper lip, declined to provide a statement to the police at the scene. She later informed authorities of her intention to reconcile with Stewart.
Shortly after the first incident, Stewart returned to the area. He confronted a man who had just collected takeaway food, accusing him of ‘taking the p*** out of me’ before unleashing a barrage of punches. The victim had no recollection of the assault itself but woke up in the aftermath with bruising, swelling, and a laceration near his left eye. Medical examinations revealed a fractured cheek, and the long period on a liquid diet caused noticeable weight loss. The court heard that this ordeal has had a profound impact on the man’s self-esteem, leading him to avoid going out in public alone. Background of Violence and Mental Health Struggles
Stewart is currently serving a 26-month sentence for prior convictions related to serious assault and threatening behaviour, which also includes a 10-month supervised release order. His defence solicitor highlighted Stewart’s limited memory of the night’s events, attributing it to heavy alcohol consumption after a day that included bingo and numerous shots. The solicitor noted previous attempts to address Stewart’s alcohol misuse through court-ordered sentences. It was also revealed that Stewart had spent time in Murray Royal Hospital in Perth earlier in the year, where he was diagnosed with depression but had not been consistently taking his medication.
The defence further presented information about a traumatic incident Stewart experienced during a previous imprisonment, where he was held down and suffered severe facial lacerations, leaving him with a prominent scar and diagnosed PTSD. This detail was brought to the court’s attention to provide context to his own experiences with violence and its lasting effects. Justice Served and Community Impact
Sheriff Alastair Carmichael underscored the lasting impact of Stewart’s actions on the male victim, acknowledging that the injuries and psychological trauma might never fully heal. The sheriff noted Stewart’s history of violence, stating that he had clearly ‘learned nothing from your past behaviour.’ Consequently, Stewart received an additional 25 months to be served consecutively to his existing sentence, emphasizing that no alternative to a custodial sentence was appropriate given the circumstances.
As Stewart was led from the courtroom in handcuffs, he declared his love to his partner in the public gallery, underscoring the complex dynamics of their relationship despite his violent actions. The outcome of this case serves as a stark reminder of the serious consequences of alcohol-fuelled violence, and its profound ripple effects on victims and the wider community, including those in nearby Perthshire towns like Milnathort.
The courts continue to address such incidents with the full force of the law, aiming to protect the public and ensure accountability for those who inflict harm.
The incident unfolded after a night out in Dundee, where Stewart first turned his aggression on his partner of three years. Later, in a separate but equally vicious attack, he assaulted a complete stranger. Both individuals suffered injuries severe enough to warrant admission to Ninewells Hospital, with one victim sustaining a fractured cheekbone that necessitated a prolonged liquid diet and significant weight loss.
Stewart, who was transported from HMP Perth for the proceedings, admitted to charges related to both assaults on Union Street, Dundee. These included punching his partner, causing her to fall and then striking her again while she was on the ground. He also confessed to repeatedly punching the male stranger, resulting in severe injury and permanent disfigurement. At the time of these offences, Stewart was already on two bail orders for previous violent and disorderly conduct, for which he has since been incarcerated. The Night’s Events Unfold in Dundee
According to the prosecution, the initial assault occurred late in the evening outside the Club Bar. Stewart’s partner approached door stewards, expressing concerns about his aggressive behaviour. Moments later, Stewart launched an unprovoked attack, punching her on the head and causing her to fall to the pavement, before striking her again as she lay there. Despite the severity of the attack, the woman, who sustained swelling to her left cheek and upper lip, declined to provide a statement to the police at the scene. She later informed authorities of her intention to reconcile with Stewart.
Shortly after the first incident, Stewart returned to the area. He confronted a man who had just collected takeaway food, accusing him of ‘taking the p*** out of me’ before unleashing a barrage of punches. The victim had no recollection of the assault itself but woke up in the aftermath with bruising, swelling, and a laceration near his left eye. Medical examinations revealed a fractured cheek, and the long period on a liquid diet caused noticeable weight loss. The court heard that this ordeal has had a profound impact on the man’s self-esteem, leading him to avoid going out in public alone. Background of Violence and Mental Health Struggles
Stewart is currently serving a 26-month sentence for prior convictions related to serious assault and threatening behaviour, which also includes a 10-month supervised release order. His defence solicitor highlighted Stewart’s limited memory of the night’s events, attributing it to heavy alcohol consumption after a day that included bingo and numerous shots. The solicitor noted previous attempts to address Stewart’s alcohol misuse through court-ordered sentences. It was also revealed that Stewart had spent time in Murray Royal Hospital in Perth earlier in the year, where he was diagnosed with depression but had not been consistently taking his medication.
The defence further presented information about a traumatic incident Stewart experienced during a previous imprisonment, where he was held down and suffered severe facial lacerations, leaving him with a prominent scar and diagnosed PTSD. This detail was brought to the court’s attention to provide context to his own experiences with violence and its lasting effects. Justice Served and Community Impact
Sheriff Alastair Carmichael underscored the lasting impact of Stewart’s actions on the male victim, acknowledging that the injuries and psychological trauma might never fully heal. The sheriff noted Stewart’s history of violence, stating that he had clearly ‘learned nothing from your past behaviour.’ Consequently, Stewart received an additional 25 months to be served consecutively to his existing sentence, emphasizing that no alternative to a custodial sentence was appropriate given the circumstances.
As Stewart was led from the courtroom in handcuffs, he declared his love to his partner in the public gallery, underscoring the complex dynamics of their relationship despite his violent actions. The outcome of this case serves as a stark reminder of the serious consequences of alcohol-fuelled violence, and its profound ripple effects on victims and the wider community, including those in nearby Perthshire towns like Milnathort.
The courts continue to address such incidents with the full force of the law, aiming to protect the public and ensure accountability for those who inflict harm.