STEPHEN WHITEHURST FROM FIFE ESCAPES JAIL AFTER VIOLENT ATTACK ON PARTNERS IN SCOTLAND
An incident involving Stephen Whitehurst, a man with ties to Fife, has garnered significant attention following a violent assault on his former and current partners.The case was heard at Elgin Sheriff Court, where the court was informed of the disturbing events that unfolded over a series of years, highlighting a pattern of aggressive behavior and domestic violence.
According to court proceedings, Lynn Ward, the most recent victim, expressed her desire to maintain her relationship with Whitehurst despite her fears for her safety.
She revealed that Whitehurst had repeatedly pinned her down and suffocated her after she was caught smoking, an act she had recently quit.
Her plea for mercy was a key factor in the court’s decision to avoid imposing a custodial sentence.
The court also heard about a previous assault involving Whitehurst and his former partner, Katrina Matthew, who was five months pregnant with his child at the time.
The incident occurred after their relationship ended, specifically on November 10, 2013, when Ms.
Matthew asked Whitehurst to leave her flat in Forres.
This earlier episode was part of a series of violent encounters that spanned several years.
Most notably, on the night of August 23 last year, Whitehurst attacked Lynn Ward during a gathering at St Brydes Court in Lhanbryde.
The altercation was triggered when Whitehurst discovered Ms.
Ward sharing a cigarette with friends, despite her recent efforts to quit smoking.
The argument quickly escalated into a prolonged and intense ordeal that lasted approximately seven hours.
During this time, Whitehurst repeatedly grabbed Ms.
Ward by her wrists, neck, hair, and body, forcefully pinning her to a sofa with his full weight.
Several times, he pressed his hand over her nose and mouth, restricting her breathing and causing her to feel dizzy.
Witnesses and court reports describe how Ms.
Ward believed her life was in danger during the assault.
She attempted to free herself, even resorting to scratching Whitehurst’s eyes in a desperate bid to escape.
In response, Whitehurst punched her three times, causing bleeding, and challenged her to continue fighting.
The situation was dire, with the violence lasting for hours, although there were moments when it temporarily subsided.
Prosecutor Ruairidh McAlister emphasized the severity of the attack, stating, “She thought her life was in danger.
She tried to break free and at one point had her fingers in his eye.” In sentencing, Sheriff John Rafferty acknowledged the brutality of the assault, describing it as a “very considerable act of violence” against someone who was clearly terrified.
The sheriff noted that the violence persisted over several hours, although there were intervals of respite.
He also highlighted the importance of the letter written by Lynn Ward, which influenced the court’s decision.
Instead of jail time, Whitehurst was sentenced to 250 hours of unpaid work and ordered to complete a 20-week domestic abuse course.
Additionally, the court imposed a restriction that he must not be alone in private with Ms.
Ward for a period of six months, as part of measures to prevent further incidents.
The court’s leniency was largely attributed to the circumstances and the victim’s plea for mercy, underscoring the ongoing concerns about domestic violence in the region.
UPDATE 05/09/2025 A vile predator who carried out a string of rapes and violent attacks on women across Dundee and Fife has been jailed for nearly two decades.
Ex-soldier Stephen Whitehurst, 44, was convicted by a jury of a series of offences that stretched over 17 years.
The High Court in Dundee was told that Whitehurst had previously completed a domestic abuse rehabilitation course aimed at stopping further offending, but the programme failed to deter him.
He continued to inflict terrifying abuse on more victims, showing no remorse.
Despite the verdicts, Whitehurst has refused to accept responsibility, instead accusing the police and his victims of conspiring against him, and even claiming the justice system is unfairly weighted against men.
Pattern of violent abuse Judge Jennifer Bain KC described how each of Whitehurst’s victims had suffered similar patterns of escalating control and violence.
He used force to overpower women, grabbing their necks, restricting their breathing, pressing on their stomachs, and using sex toys during assaults.
In total, five women were abused between November 2006 and April 2024 in Dundee and multiple Fife towns.
After an eight-day trial, Whitehurst was found guilty of 13 charges, though he was acquitted of others.
His record already included convictions for stalking and domestic violence.
In 2015, he had been ordered onto the Caledonian Programme, but this attempt at rehabilitation failed.
Sentencing and victim impact Whitehurst watched the hearing by video link from HMP Dumfries, where he has been held since December 2023.
His lawyer, Iain Paterson KC, acknowledged that a lengthy sentence was appropriate given risk assessments showing his danger to women.
Victim impact statements described the lasting psychological and emotional trauma his crimes had caused.
Judge Bain said the women had given “brave” evidence in court and that their statements revealed the deep scars left by his abuse.
The court also heard Whitehurst insisted most men jailed for domestic crimes were actually innocent.
Judge Bain condemned his attitude, saying his refusal to accept responsibility reflected “entitlement and misogyny.” She said his actions were designed to “punish, degrade and humiliate” his victims.
Sentence Whitehurst was assessed as posing a high risk of harm to women.
He received an extended sentence of 19 years: 16 in prison and a further 3 on licence under strict conditions.
He was also made subject to five lifelong non-harassment orders and placed on the Sex Offenders Register permanently.
Throughout the sentencing, Whitehurst shook his head and showed no emotion as the judge handed down the punishment.
