SNS GroupA man has been jailed for leaving a young woman “absolutely terrified” by subjecting her to a series of physical assaults and rape threats.
Connor Stewart, 21, repeatedly assaulted the woman at an address in Inverness in July 2025.
The High Court in Edinburgh heard how Stewart had started picking on her after spending the day drinking.
Prosecutor Alan Cameron KC told judge Norman McFadyen KC about one of the attacks during a hearing on Friday.
Mr Cameron said: “He put one of his arms around her neck and seized her mouth with his hand, covering her mouth and nose with his hand.
“This lasted a couple of seconds. His face was pushed up against her head and he was shouting abusive comments in her ear.
“She was crying and scared. She was shaking”
The story emerged after Stewart, originally of Inverness, pleaded guilty to threatening behaviour and physical abuse.
Speaking about another incident of physical abuse, Mr Cameron said Stewart once again restricted his victim’s breathing.
He added: “He swore on his mum’s life that he would not hurt her. The accused pushed her into the bedroom, where he called her a s**g.
“She was crying. He held his hand over her nose and mouth. She could not breathe. She hit his arms for him to release her, and he eventually did.
“He then got on top of her and held her nose and mouth whilst shouting and swearing at her.
“He then started to shout at her about rape and how he had been charged with rape.”
The court heard that the woman later spoke to people about what happened shortly after the attacks.
Mr Cameron added: “She described herself as being ‘absolutely terrified’. She was crying. She was described as hysterical.”
The court heard that police later tracked Stewart down and arrested him soon afterwards.
On Friday, defence solicitor advocate Shahid Latif told the court that his client was remorseful for his actions.
He added: “He has expressed to me his disgust and his shame by his conduct and this has led him to tendering a plea of guilty to the charge.”
Mr Latif urged judge McFadyen to obtain a background report about his client.
He added: “It would be of assistance to the court.”
Judge McFadyen remanded Stewart in custody and told him he would be sentenced later in the year.
He added: “Your actions in restricting the woman’s breathing are particularly concerning.”
Stewart will be sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh on April 28, 2026.
Follow STV News on WhatsApp
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
