A drug addict who attacked a woman with a knife in pursuit of an unpaid debt will be sentenced next month.
A background report will be prepared on 23 year old Gordon MacAllister, of Tarradale Gardens, Muir of Ord before he is sentenced by Sheriff Gordon Fleetwood on November 10.
MacAllister was told by the Sheriff: “It is a real possibility that you will be going to jail but there is a sufficient doubt in my mind to justify you having your bail continued.”
Inverness Sheriff Court was told that MacAllister went to Mary Ward’s sheltered accommodation at Vulcan Cottage in Muir of Ord armed with an 8in knife.
CCTV filmed the three minute confrontation on August 4 last year and fiscal depute Michelle Molley said MacAllister could be seen entering the property with a bag and the blade being clearly visible.
“He went into room 9 and within a few minutes, he backed out of the room followed by Mary Ward. Both were clearly agitated.
“He raised his hand high with the blade pointed towards her and they struggled. They exited the corridor still struggling and entered the communal entrance area at the front door. He opened the door and fled.”
Ms Molley said he told police that he went there over an unpaid debt. MacAllister admitted unlawful possession of a knife and assaulting Ms Ward by struggling with her and attempting to strike her with the weapon.
Defence solicitor Clare Russell said her client, who had no previous convictions, was now subject to a drug treatment and testing order and a community payback order, having subsequently offended.
“All of his offending behaviour took place while he was in the throes of a significant drug addiction. He is seeking help for his issues and remanding him in custody would do more harm than good.”
