Calls for GPS monitoring of domestic abuse suspects after murder of Stacy Hunter

Campaigners focused on domestic abuse prevention are urging for increased use of GPS tracking technology to monitor individuals deemed to be high-risk offenders. This call follows the tragic killing of Stacy Hunter in Renfrewshire last month. An online petition seeking the establishment of “Stacy’s law” has been launched in her memory; it aims to ensure more effective tracking and protection measures for victims. Scottish ministers have previously been criticized for the slow introduction of GPS devices, which are currently less common in Scotland than in other countries. The government has responded by stating that it is engaging with victims’ groups and will give careful consideration to the petition.

Lynne Mackenzie, herself a survivor of domestic abuse and living near the remote location where Stacy Hunter was murdered, initiated the campaign. Stacy’s estranged husband, Jim Mair, 43, who was found dead beside her, had reportedly been charged with assault but was out on bail under conditions forbidding him from approaching her. Although Mackenzie did not personally know Stacy, she expressed profound shock at the killing, which came only six days after another fatal domestic abuse incident in Edinburgh involving Vikki Soloman. Reflecting on these events, Mackenzie questioned whether sufficient measures are in place to safeguard women in vulnerable situations. She stated, “Every time driving in and out of the village I was aware of the police at the end of the road […] And it really got me thinking what could we have done? What could have been put in place beforehand? What else do we need?” Stacy’s family supports the campaign and has consented to having her name associated with it.

The petition promotes the use of electronic monitoring for domestic abuse offenders or suspects released on bail, suggesting individually tailored exclusion zones around victims’ homes or workplaces. Alerts would notify the police if these zones are breached, enabling prompt intervention. Mike Nellis, emeritus professor of criminal and community justice at the University of Strathclyde, explained that implementing such a system is feasible. He described how an alert could be triggered if an abuser entered an exclusion zone but noted that the zones need to be large enough to allow police to arrive in time. While acknowledging Scotland’s slow adoption of GPS technology, Nellis observed that this moment might represent an opportunity for change, with ministers considering alternatives to imprisonment. However, he cautioned that no system is infallible, emphasizing that “probably every jurisdiction that has used it has at one point in time had an offender who still managed to assault, injure or kill the victim.” Some women’s support groups have also voiced concerns that reliance on such devices may create a false sense of security.

Currently, electronic tagging in Scotland primarily uses older radio frequency devices, which monitor offenders only within their homes and do not track their movements externally. Last year, Community Justice Scotland issued a National Improvement Recommendation urging the government to expedite the introduction of more advanced monitoring systems. The organization expressed frustration that neither GPS nor alcohol monitoring had been adopted despite expert backing since 2016. In contrast, England and Wales have been using these technologies widely since 2018, with new restriction zones planned for implementation. Scotland’s victims minister, Kirsten Oswald, conveyed sympathy to Stacy’s family and emphasized the government’s commitment to listening to victims and support services regarding violence against women and girls. She underscored that while bail decisions remain the judiciary’s responsibility, electronic monitoring of bail conditions is possible and should be considered as part of a broader strategy to combat violence

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