A Scots police constable has appeared in court charged over a domestic abuse campaign, denying allegations that he terrorised his wife while wielding a hammer.
PC Graeme Stewart, 47, faced charges involving domestic abuse and abusive behaviour when he appeared at Stranraer Sheriff Court on Wednesday, September 23. Court papers allege that the constable, who works in the Dumfries and Galloway area, abused his wife over a 15-year period.
Allegations of control and isolation
Between October 2010 and March 2019, Stewart is accused of repeatedly shouting at his wife, criticising her and controlling the family finances. It is alleged he controlled her movements, isolated her from friends and family, controlled the conditions of their home and threatened to harm himself if his wife ended their relationship.
It is further alleged that during the same period, he called his wife stupid and controlled her business and business decisions. Between April 2019 and May last year, further charge details claim that Stewart refused to give his wife money, repeatedly checked her purse and instructed her not to buy hygiene products, all while spending money on himself and refusing to allow her access to a joint bank account.
Further allegations and court outcome
Under the domestic abuse charge, it claims Stewart blamed his wife for signing up to a dating site and prevented her from using the family car. He is further accused of manipulating her emotions, pressuring her to do housework, controlling her business and business decisions again, and preventing her from putting the heating on in their family home.
When the pair separated, Stewart allegedly contacted his estranged wife repeatedly. He is accused of then cancelling her car insurance and isolating her from her friends and family. The offences allegedly took place at addresses in Wigtown in Dumfries and Galloway, Broxburn in West Lothian and Cumbernauld in North Lanarkshire.
Stewart denied the charges against him when he appeared in court earlier this week. A trial date was set for November 23. In the meantime, the cop was released on bail.
Suspended from force
Images shared on social media by Police Scotland showed Stewart being handed an award for his “sustained commitment and enthusiasm for his role as Police Scotland Youth Volunteer Coordinator for Stranraer.” The picture, which was posted some time ago, shows Stewart smiling beside a female colleague as he was handed the certificate. The post has since been deleted.
Stewart has since been suspended from the force. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “A 47-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with domestic offences on 6 June 2025. A report was sent to the Procurator Fiscal.”
