RYAN CALVERT'S SHOCKING ABUSE IN ABERDEEN: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASE LEAVES VICTIMS REELING

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Aberdeen, a local businessman named Ryan Calvert has been found guilty of a series of heinous acts of domestic abuse spanning nearly a decade. The conviction was handed down after a detailed trial at Aberdeen Sheriff Court, where Calvert faced 11 charges related to violent and degrading conduct directed at two former partners.

Throughout the proceedings, it was revealed that Calvert, who is known to many as a DJ working at the Justice Mill pub on Union Street, engaged in repeated acts of violence and emotional torment. Witnesses and victims described incidents where Calvert assaulted them multiple times, including a particularly disturbing episode where he strangled one woman until she lost consciousness. During the trial, it was also disclosed that he verbally abused his partners, calling one a 'piece of s***' before spitting in her face, acts that exemplify the level of contempt and brutality involved.

Sheriff Andrew Miller, presiding over the case, characterized Calvert’s actions as an 'appalling catalogue of abuse spanning a wide range of abusive conduct.' The sheriff noted that Calvert’s pattern of violence and emotional manipulation appeared to escalate with each relationship, highlighting the dangerous nature of his conduct. The victims provided impact statements, describing how Calvert’s actions had severely damaged their mental health, sense of safety, and trust in others. They recounted how he would take them to remote locations, leaving them stranded without communication devices or money, further isolating and intimidating them.

In addition to physical assaults, the court heard about emotional abuse, including pushing one woman down stairs, throwing drinks at her, and causing injuries that required medical attention. Despite the severity of these allegations, Calvert maintained his innocence, denying that he had strangled his partner. He claimed that her passing out was due to panic attacks and suggested that jealousy was the primary cause of their arguments, attempting to downplay the violence.

Sentencing was delivered by Sheriff Miller, who opted for a community-based order rather than immediate imprisonment. Calvert was sentenced to a community payback order with supervision, 300 hours of unpaid work, participation in domestic abuse programmes, and an electronic monitoring tag for nine months. Additionally, a non-harassment order was imposed, prohibiting him from approaching or contacting his victims for a period of ten years.

The decision was met with criticism from the victims’ families, who argued that the punishment was too lenient given the gravity of the crimes, which included a 'danger to life' charge. They expressed concern that the sentence did not adequately reflect the trauma inflicted upon their loved ones. The court acknowledged that Calvert had no prior convictions for domestic violence and noted his apparent remorse and efforts to seek help. Nonetheless, the judge emphasized that his actions had profound and lasting effects on the victims’ lives.

Sheriff Miller underscored the seriousness of the case, stating that Calvert had come dangerously close to facing a custodial sentence. The ruling highlights the ongoing challenge of addressing domestic abuse cases, especially when the perpetrator’s social and economic background is taken into account. This case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of domestic violence and the importance of appropriate sentencing to protect victims and prevent future harm.