STEVE RAMAGE FROM TARBOLTON SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC ABUSE IN AYRSHIRE

A man with a history of controlling and violent behavior has been sentenced to prison following a series of severe sexual and physical assaults in Ayrshire. Steven Ramage, a 38-year-old resident of Tarbolton, subjected his former partner to a prolonged campaign of abuse that spanned over five years, from May 2014 to January 2020.

During this period, Ramage committed multiple heinous acts, including raping his partner on numerous occasions, some of which occurred while she was asleep, demonstrating a blatant disregard for her safety and consent. His violence was not limited to sexual assault; he also engaged in physical violence, choking her until she lost consciousness, punching, kicking, and even stabbing her in the leg with a knife. One particularly disturbing incident involved Ramage holding her head underwater while she was bathing, before assaulting her sexually again.

Ramage’s controlling nature extended beyond physical violence. He took control of her finances by seizing her bank card, passport, and driving license, effectively trapping her at home and preventing her from leaving unless accompanied by him. His manipulative tactics included repeatedly contacting her through text messages, phone calls, and online messaging platforms, urging her not to report his actions to the authorities and to withdraw any allegations she might make. Despite strict bail conditions imposed in January 2020, which explicitly forbade him from contacting his victim, Ramage continued to breach these restrictions.

Following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow that concluded on May 21, Ramage was found guilty of eight charges, including serious assault causing severe injury, disfigurement, and risking her life, as well as multiple sexual offences under Scottish law. The court also convicted him of breaching bail conditions. On June 24, he was sentenced to an extended term of 11 years in prison. He will serve eight years of this sentence behind bars, with an additional three years on licence after his release. His name has been added to the sex offenders register indefinitely, and a non-harassment order has been issued to prevent him from making any contact with his victim.

Katrina Parkes, Scotland’s Procurator Fiscal for High Court sexual offending, expressed her condemnation of Ramage’s actions, stating, “Steven Ramage is a controlling and violent individual who subjected his victim to unimaginable levels of abuse and trauma while showing a complete and callous disregard for her safety. He will now have to face the consequences of his horrific actions. This conviction was only made possible thanks to the bravery of his victim for reporting the abuse. I hope this brings her some comfort and a sense of justice, knowing she has been heard and believed. We urge any victim of similar offending to come forward, report it and seek help. You will be taken seriously, listened to, and we will use all the tools available to us to pursue justice.”

Ramage’s crimes include one charge of serious assault resulting in severe injury and disfigurement, one charge under the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018, and four sexual offences under the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009, along with a breach of bail conditions. His sentence was backdated to October 6, 2022, the date he was first remanded in custody, ensuring that his time in detention is properly accounted for.