A man, who had been banned from seeing his ex-partner, showed up at her residence in Stonehouse just seven days after being released from prison. Ryan Black, 44, was previously imprisoned for 20 months for attempting to strangle the woman. Appearing at Hamilton Sheriff Court, Black pleaded guilty to violating a non-harassment order by visiting the victim’s home on March 23 in Patrickholm Avenue. The three-year restraining order had been put in place in 2023 following Black’s admission of assaulting his partner of over two decades.
During his earlier offence, Black had pinned the woman on a bed, strangled her, and threatened to kill her. Despite his recent actions, the victim expressed a desire to resume her relationship with Black, highlighting his supposed supportiveness. However, given the vulnerability of the woman and the serious nature of Black’s conduct, the Crown argued that a non-harassment order was necessary. Black’s defence lawyer, Gregor Jarrott, stated that his client had visited his ex-partner’s home just a week after being released from jail and had been in custody since his arrest in March.
Sheriff Michael Higgins expressed concern over Black’s swift re-offending and ordered him to remain in custody until the next month for further assessments. The sheriff emphasised the gravity of Black’s actions, given the previous domestic abuse conviction involving the same woman. The case serves as a reminder of the ongoing issue of domestic violence and the need for appropriate measures to protect victims. The court’s decision to keep Black in custody reflects the seriousness of his actions and the potential danger he poses to his ex-partner.