Fife man jailed for stabbing mother pregnant with twins

A man who stabbed his pregnant partner in the neck causing the death of her unborn twins has been told he may never leave prison again.

Fife resident Stephen Ramsay, 36, stabbed his victim in the throat at a property in Delgatie Court, Glenrothes, on 23 February last year.

Lisa Donaldson, 35, was taken to the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy following the attack where she remained for weeks receiving treatment for her injuries.

Despite best efforts, the twins did not survive.

Ramsay yesterday received an order for lifelong restriction (OLR) – effectively a life term of imprisonment under which a prisoner will only be released if he is judged fit and safe – at the High Court in Aberdeen, with a punishment part of five years in prison following the attempted murder.

He also received a lifelong non-harassment order against the victim.

Ramsay admitted trying to murder Ms Donaldson, knowing she was 32 weeks pregnant with the twins.

The court heard how Ramsay attacked his victim after accusing her of taking money he had obtained by posing as a homeless beggar on the streets of Edinburgh.

Inspector Paul Dick, who led the investigation, said: “When Stephen Ramsay committed this horrendous attack, he was well aware that the woman was heavily pregnant and that his actions could have killed her as well as her unborn children.

“The victim has been left with permanent injuries and she has been left utterly distraught at the death of her twins.

“No amount of time in prison can ever undo the harm Ramsay has caused to her.

“Ramsay has been given an order for lifelong restriction due to the risk he poses to the community and this means that, only after he has served his full prison sentence, will he be considered for release and only when authorities are entirely satisfied that he is safe to do so.

“If he is ever released, he will thereafter remain under constant supervision for the rest of his life.

“I would also like to thank the police officers and staff from the Scottish Ambulance Service who were first on the scene assisting the woman and were faced with a terrible and upsetting scene. Without their quick actions, the outcome could have been far more tragic.”