Man admits chainsaw attack on his ex-lover's elderly parents
A crazed thug carried out a horrific chainsaw attack on his ex-lover's elderly parents days after she dumped him.
A crazed thug carried out a horrific chainsaw attack on his ex-lover's elderly parents days after she dumped him.
James MacDonald, 48, burst into John and Flora MacPherson's home threatening to kill their daughter Tracey.
He stood in their living room revving the chainsaw – before suddenly turning it on terrified Flora and then John as he tried to save his wife.
The 74 year-old almost had his whole arm hacked off.
Flora, 63, was also left badly injured as MacDonald then fled the house in Fort William in the Highlands.
A judge heard how the couple told each other they loved one another as John feared he was going to die.
But, he luckily survived after surgeons had to carry out a nine-hour operation to save his arm.
Details of the horror attacks emerged today as MacDonald pled guilty to attempting to murder the dad.
He also admitted assaulting Flora to her severe injury, permanent disfigurement and impairment as well to the danger of her life.
MacDonald was remanded in custody and faces a lengthy jail-term when he returns to the dock next month.
MacDonald had been seeing Tracey MacPherson for more than two years before she left him on July 14 this year.
She moved back in with her parents, but her now ex continued to hound her.
Prosecutor Ross Macfarlane QC told the High Court in Glasgow: “He stated to her that he had 'put in' the door of her flat with a power saw.
“He told her repeatedly that he was going to kill her.”
Tracey was so scared she asked her parents to lock all the doors at their home.
On the day of attacks – July 19 – MacDonald was spotted with a chainsaw under his seat at a bar in Caol, Fort William.
Raging MacDonald then left the pub and stormed off to the MacPhersons' house.
The couple were watching TV around 8pm when the ground worker got in via a back door.
Their daughter was meantime upstairs in one of the bedrooms.
Armed with the chainsaw, MacDonald turned it on and yelled: “Where is Tracey...the f** bitch? I'm going to kill her tonight.”
Crazed MacDonald kept revving the chainsaw before striking out at his former lover's mum.
Flora tried to turn away – but she was wounded after being hit on the arm.
Her husband leapt out of his chair to rescue her.
However, the OAP was left horrifically injured after MacDonald also repeatedly lashed out at him.
John – who had previously suffered a stroke – immediately slumped to the ground.
Flora screamed Tracey was not in before the attacker raced out with the chainsaw still revving.
She dialled 999 and then went to help her blood soaked husband.
Prosecutor Mr Macfarlane said: “They told each other that they loved one another.
“John MacPherson said that he was going to die and to tell his children that he loved them. He also started to pray.”
John – also known as Raymond – was rushed to a local hospital before being sent for treatement in Glasgow with an injury described as “catastrophic”.
Mr Macfarlane: “His right arm was partially amputated...almost severed just below the shoulder.”
The pensioner – who also had a large wound from his jaw to his neck – went through a mammoth nine-hour operation to reattach his arm.
Medics confirmed had he not received help, he would have died.
The court heard he is permanently scarred and his injured arm is now shorter than the other.
The ordeal has left him suffering “flashbacks” and “nightmares. It is likely he will require more surgery in the future.
His wife needed around 12 stitches for wounds to her arm and hand.
Flora is also scarred for life and has been seeing a counsellor due to the trauma of what happened.
MacDonald was caught by police at a nearby canal after the attacks.
He confessed: “I admit what I have done.”
MacDonald, of Fort William, today admitted other charges of behaving in a threatening manner and having an offensive weapon.
None of the victims were in court today.
Graham Robertson, defending, said the case for everyone involved was an “absolute and complete tragedy”.
Lord Boyd deferred sentencing for reports until December 13 in Edinburgh.