A crazed thug who attacked his ex-girlfriend’s elderly parents with a chainsaw in a “cruel and cowardly” attack has been jailed for 12 years.
James MacDonald, 48, almost hacked off John MacPherson’s arm after bursting into the pensioner’s home and threatening to kill the victim’s daughter, Tracey.
The high court heard how the maniac stood in the family’s living room revving the chainsaw before turning it on 74-year-old Mr MacPherson’s terrified wife, Flora.
Mr MacPherson tried to save his 63-year-old wife and was left with massive injuries as MacDonald attacked him with the saw.
Judge Lord Boyd heard how the couple told each other they loved one another as John feared he was going to die.
His life was only saved thanks to the skills displayed by medical staff.
Sentencing Macdonald at the High Court in Edinburgh yesterday, Lord Boyd said: “This was a cruel and cowardly attack on an elderly couple who had done you no harm but had the misfortune of being the parents of the women who had recently been your partner. The injuries that you caused were truly horrific.
“In Mr MacPherson’s case, it was only by the skill of the medical teams at Belford Hospital and Glasgow Royal Infirmary the he survived.
“I note that he had to undergo a nine hour operation to reattach his right arm.
“The consequences, both physical and psychological, will be with both of Mr and Mrs MacPherson for the rest of their lives.
“In Mr MacPherson’s case he will be left with functional deficits in both upper limbs and hands.
“So far as Tracey MacPherson is concerned she escaped physical injury, but I have no doubt that the psychological injury will be particularly acute.
“The extent of the injury and suffering that you caused to all your victims is graphically recounted in their victim statements.
“This was a murderous attack on an innocent elderly couple leaving with them with life changing and lifelong injuries.
“It can only be marked by a lengthy custodial sentence.”
Details of the horror attack emerged last month as MacDonald admitted the attempted murder of Mr MacPherson and other charges.
At his appearance at the High Court in Glasgow last month, MacDonald, originally of Fort William, also pleaded guilty to assaulting Mrs MacPherson to her severe injury, permanent disfigurement and impairment as well to the danger of her life. He also admitted charges of behaving in a threatening manner and having an offensive weapon.
Sentence had been deferred to Edinburgh yesterday.
The court heard how MacDonald was in a relationship with Tracey MacPherson for more than two years but she left him in July and moved back in with her parents.
Prosecutor Ross Macfarlane QC said: “He told her repeatedly that he was going to kill her.”
On the day of attacks – Tuesday, July 19 – MacDonald, 48, was spotted with a chainsaw under his seat at a bar in Caol.
The 48-year-old entered the MacPhersons’ home via a back door around 8pm while the couple were watching television. Their daughter was upstairs. MacDonald turned on the saw and shouted: “Where is Tracey? I’m going to kill her tonight.” He struck out at his former lover’s mother, hitting her on the arm. Her husband, who had previously suffered a stroke, leapt out of his chair to protect his wife and MacDonald repeatedly lashed out at him. Mrs MacPherson 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.”
Yesterday, defence advocate Graham Robertson said: “He has expressed remorse for his actions.”
