A man who attacked a young woman in the street after stopping taking his medication was jailed for 10 months at Oban Sheriff Court yesterday.
Donald McGillivray, 45, pleaded guilty to assaulting Louise Mathieson by striking her body, causing her to fall to the ground and repeatedly kicking her on the head and body.
The court heard that McGillivray, who is diagnosed as having paranoid schizophrenia, went straight to Oban police station following the attack and handed himself in.
Miss Mathieson had been walking to work at 8.20am on October 13. While in Alma Crescent opposite the CalMac ferry terminal she noticed a man who was also walking along the street.
McGillivray asked her the time before he started walking towards her very fast.
Fiscal Eoin McGinty said: “She turned to run towards the ferry terminal but the accused kicked her legs from under her causing her to fall to the ground. He then kicked her on the head and body, she recalls one blow with his foot connecting with the back of her head and several times being kicked on the back and sides.”
She suffered from extensive bruising.
A passer-by intervened and McGillivray, of Oban High Street, ran off.
Solicitor Laura McManus said: “In no way do I mean to detract from how alarming and distressing this must have been for the complainer.
“He was at the time suffering from confusion.”
She said he had come off his medication.
Sheriff Ruth Anderson told him: “I accept that there has been a history of mental health problems but you must accept your responsibility for taking the medication to assist you.
“You accept you are responsible for your frightening and violent behaviour.
“My powers are restricted here. The maximum sentence I can give is 12 months. I give you a small discount for pleading guilty. You will serve 10 months in prison.”
