UPDATE: Three individuals have just been convicted of culpable homicide in the tragic case of Ryan Munro, a 36-year-old man who died after jumping from a window to escape an extortion attempt. The verdicts were reached on February 2, 2025, by a jury at the High Court in Edinburgh, following a harrowing trial detailing the menacing actions of the accused.
On January 10, 2024, Munro fell to his death from a height after being held against his will at a property on Morgan Street in Dundee. The court heard that the trio—Stephen Stewart (52), Jennifer Souter (40), and Victoria McGowan (43)—created an “environment of menace and threats” that induced extreme fear in Munro, ultimately leading to his fatal jump.
Jurors found that the accused intended to intimidate Munro, demanding cash through coercion. Their actions resulted in Munro feeling he had no option but to escape through a window, leading to his tragic fall. The court was informed that the trio’s threats intensified to such a degree that Munro felt compelled to jump to save himself.
The jury’s verdicts were unanimous on all charges against Stewart, Souter, and McGowan, who were also noted to have lengthy criminal records. Stewart had previous convictions for abduction and extortion, alongside serving time for drug offenses. Judge Lady Drummond has remanded the three into custody, indicating they can expect a “significant custodial sentence.”
In a shocking twist, the trial featured testimony from Ramsay El Nakla, the brother-in-law of former first minister Humza Yousaf, who was initially implicated but was cleared of all charges. He was a Crown witness, detailing how he was involved in drug transactions at the same location. El Nakla recounted spending £800 a day on crack cocaine, which he sourced from Stewart, and he described the intimidating atmosphere surrounding Munro’s abduction.
During the proceedings, prosecutor Alex Prentice KC highlighted the overwhelming evidence against the convicted trio, stating, “There was an atmosphere of absolute terror, menace and threats.” He emphasized that their actions directly caused Munro’s desperate attempt to escape.
As the case unfolds, prosecutors are also preparing to initiate a proceeds of crime action against Stewart and McGowan, aiming to recover criminal assets linked to their drug dealings. The impact of Munro’s death has left his family devastated, with statements submitted to the court detailing their ongoing struggle with this tragic loss.
The trio will be sentenced on February 4, 2025, at the High Court in Glasgow. As this case continues to develop, the ramifications for the convicted criminals and the lingering pain for Munro’s family serve as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by organized crime and drug-related violence.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
