STUART DOUGLAS FROM EDINBURGH SENTENCED FOR DOMESTIC ABUSE IN EAST LOTHIAN AND THE BORDERS

A man identified as Stuart Douglas, who was involved in a prolonged period of domestic abuse against his wife, has been sentenced at Jedburgh Sheriff Court to perform 200 hours of unpaid community service. The court proceedings revealed a disturbing pattern of violence and harassment that spanned over two years, with incidents occurring in various locations including the Borders and elsewhere.

One particularly alarming incident involved Douglas grabbing his wife’s hand while they were traveling in a car, causing her significant injury by bending her finger back, which resulted in a broken finger. This act was part of a broader course of abusive behavior that the court found him guilty of after a trial. The court established that between January 2020 and February 2022, Douglas engaged in a series of abusive acts directed at his wife, which included physical violence, verbal abuse, and acts of intimidation at their shared residence and other locations.

The court heard that Douglas had written offensive and derogatory remarks on the bathroom and hallway walls of their home, further demonstrating his pattern of harassment. His abusive conduct also involved calling his wife offensive names repeatedly, pulling her down a flight of stairs, and locking her out of their property while she was in a state of undress. Additional incidents included pushing her in a hotel room, holding her down on a bed, and grabbing her by the throat, all of which contributed to her severe injuries and emotional trauma.

At the time of sentencing, it was noted that the couple was in the process of divorcing. His estranged wife had requested the court to impose a Non-Harassment Order that would last for as long as possible, to prevent any further contact or harassment from Douglas. Sheriff John Mundy described Douglas’s behavior as a “serious course of conduct,” emphasizing the gravity of his actions. The court was initially hesitant to impose a custodial sentence but ultimately decided on a community-based punishment.

Stuart Douglas, who is now residing at Lochend Butterfly Way in Edinburgh, was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and to be under 12 months of supervision. Additionally, a Non-Harassment Order was issued, prohibiting him from contacting his estranged wife for a period of three years, in an effort to protect her from further abuse and harassment.