Three individuals have been found guilty of killing a man who jumped from a window in Dundee while desperately trying to flee their attempts to extort money from him.
Verdict Reached in High Court Trial
On Friday 19 December 2025, a jury at the High Court in Edinburgh returned guilty verdicts against Stephen Stewart, 52, Jennifer Souter, 40, and Victoria McGowan, 43. They were convicted of the culpable homicide of 36-year-old Ryan Munro on 10 January 2024.
The court heard that the trio had abducted Mr Munro at a flat on Morgan Street in Dundee. They created what prosecutor Alex Prentice KC described as an "atmosphere of absolute terror, menace and threats" in an attempt to obtain cash from him.
Atmosphere of Terror Leads to Fatal Escape Attempt
The prosecution detailed how the accused placed Mr Munro in such an "extreme state of fear and alarm" that he felt compelled to escape through a "window at height". This desperate act led to him falling and striking the ground, resulting in his death.
Jurors found that on 9 and 10 January 2024, the trio had detained Mr Munro against his will through intimidation and threats. They were also convicted of extorting a sum of money from him by menace.
Co-accused Acquitted as Trio Face Sentencing
The three stood trial alongside Ramsay El-Nakla, 37, the brother-in-law of former First Minister Humza Yousaf. Mr El-Nakla was originally charged with extortion and drugs offences but was acquitted last week after the prosecution accepted his not guilty pleas. He faced no charge in connection with the alleged culpable homicide.
Judge Lady Drummond remanded Stewart, Souter, and McGowan and called for background reports. She told them unequivocally, "You can all expect a significant custodial sentence for these offences." They are due to be sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow in February.
In addition to the homicide conviction, Stephen Stewart was convicted on drugs charges, while his two co-accused had pleaded guilty to narcotics offences earlier in the proceedings.
Following the conviction, it emerged that prosecutors intend to launch proceeds of crime action against Stewart and McGowan concerning criminal assets derived from drug dealing. This action is expected to be heard at the High Court in Edinburgh in the near future.
