Three individuals have been found guilty of killing a man who leapt from a window in a desperate bid to escape their attempts to extort money from him. The verdicts were delivered at the High Court in Edinburgh yesterday afternoon.
An Environment of Menace and Threats
Stephen Stewart, 52, Jennifer Souter, 40, and Victoria McGowan, 43, were all convicted of the culpable homicide of 36-year-old Ryan Munro. The court heard how the trio created what was described as an 'environment of menace and threats' at a flat on Morgan Street in Dundee where they had abducted Mr Munro.
Their goal was to force him to hand over cash. The prosecution detailed how they placed Mr Munro in such an 'extreme state of fear and alarm' that he ultimately jumped to his death from a window of the property on January 10, 2024.
Co-Accused Acquitted and Lengthy Criminal Records Revealed
The three stood trial alongside Ramsay El Nakla, 37, the brother-in-law of former First Minister Humza Yousaf. Mr El Nakla faced allegations of participating in the extortion and related drugs charges. However, he was cleared of all allegations on December 12, 2025, after prosecutors accepted his not guilty pleas.
Following the jury's guilty verdicts for Stewart, Souter, and McGowan, it emerged that all three have lengthy criminal histories. Stewart had a prior conviction for abduction and extortion and had previously served a five-year sentence for drugs offences. Stewart was also convicted on separate drugs charges, while his two co-accused pleaded guilty to narcotics offences.
Sentencing and Impact on the Victim's Family
Judge Lady Drummond remanded all three into custody and called for background reports. She told them: 'You can all expect a significant custodial sentence for these offences.' She added that she would hear more about Ryan Munro's life and the impact of his loss on his family, stating it was clear he was 'deeply missed by all his family.'
Advocate depute Alex Prentice KC, speaking about Mr Munro's family, said: 'They have struggled with this and found it difficult to deal with.' The trio are scheduled to be sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow on February 4, 2025. Proceeds of crime actions against Stewart and McGowan will be heard at the High Court in Edinburgh at a later date.
After his acquittal, Mr El Nakla was called as a prosecution witness. When asked by Mr Prentice if crack cocaine had taken over his life at the time of the events, he replied 'Yes.' He revealed that in December 2023 and January 2024, he was spending £700 to £800 a day on the drug.
