Inverness man had idea to stab someone ‘by surprise’
A MAN who called the police to say he had thoughts of murdering or torturing people was released on bail.
Sheriff Eilidh Macdonald was told there “did not seem to be a danger to the public” posed by Hamish Gibson.
The 33-year-old of Warrand Road in Inverness had been psychiatrically examined three times.
Inverness Sheriff Court heard that Gibson had been remanded in custody since January 6. He admitted threatening behaviour in Church Street, Inverness and elsewhere the day before.
Defence solicitor advocate Shahid Latif said that the phone call to the emergency services had been a cry for help.
“He was mentally unwell when these outrageous comments were made,” he said. “But his motivation was to get help and he was never going to carry out these threats.”
Fiscal depute Robert Weir, who did not oppose bail, told the court what Gibson told police.
“He stated that he had thoughts of murdering people,” he said. “He was thinking about getting someone by surprise and stabbing them and if they live after that, then tying them up and torturing them for fun.”
Police on foot patrol were advised of the call but instructed not to approach Gibson until a full risk assessment was carried out.
But he added that Gibson approached the police and he was subsequently detained.
Mr Latif said that a defence psychiatrist had suggested an appropriate sentence but a background report would be required first. Sheriff Macdonald agreed and indicated that a treatment programme could be a condition of any sentence in the community. Gibson will be sentenced on June 11.