MARLEY WATT'S BRUTAL CRIMES IN STIRLING: DOMESTIC ABUSER ESCAPES FURTHER PUNISHMENT

In a case that has shocked the community of Stirling, Marley Watt, a 19-year-old man with a history of violent domestic abuse, managed to avoid additional penalties despite a series of severe offenses. Watt’s troubling behavior came to light after he was previously convicted by a jury for a series of brutal acts committed against his former partner between April 2021 and September 2022 in Stirling.

During the trial, it was revealed that Watt subjected his partner to a range of violent and intimidating acts. These included choking her to the point of unconsciousness, holding a knife dangerously against her neck, and striking nearby walls with an axe in a threatening manner. The jury also heard evidence of verbal abuse, with Watt discouraging her from maintaining contact with friends and family or attending her educational classes. His physical assaults extended to slapping her on the head and body, and using various objects such as a metal brush, grinder, mobile phone, and shoe to inflict harm.

One particularly alarming incident involved Watt seizing his partner in a headlock and applying pressure to her throat, which caused her to lose consciousness. The court was also told that Watt made threats to kill her and her family, further escalating the severity of his actions. Additional acts of violence included biting her hand, striking a wall with an axe while she was nearby, and sending her threatening text messages, all of which painted a disturbing picture of his violent tendencies.

Despite the gravity of these offenses, Sheriff Derek Hamilton, presiding over the case, decided that Watt did not require further supervision after reviewing background reports. The sheriff explicitly stated that he did not need to hear from Watt’s solicitor. In his remarks, Sheriff Hamilton acknowledged the seriousness of the charges, particularly the incident where Watt compressed his partner’s throat to the point of unconsciousness. He noted Watt’s young age and the positive reports about him, which influenced his decision.

As a result, Watt was admonished, a legal term indicating that while he retains a criminal record, no additional punishment or supervision will be imposed. This outcome has raised eyebrows given the nature of Watt’s violent history and the fact that he was “unusually” allowed to escape further sanctions, leaving many in Stirling concerned about the adequacy of the justice served in this case.