A man who tried to kill himself and his lover by switching on his car engine and attaching a hosepipe from the exhaust into the vehicle has been jailed for six years.
Denis Cannon (52), formerly of Hillview, Brechin, tried to murder Diane Perry (38) with the exhaust fumes during his own suicide bid but was foiled because his Audi had a catalytic converter and Miss Perry managed to open an air vent.
Cannon returned to the dock at the High Court in Glasgow, having previously admitted to an attempted murder charge.
The court heard Cannon had shown no victim empathy and instead blamed Miss Perry for what happened.
Judge Lord Bannatyne jailed him for what he branded an “extremely nasty offence” and also ordered that he be supervised for a further three years on his release.
Miss Perry, who has repeatedly moved house since the incident, complained that the six-year sentence was not enough.
“He will serve half of it and he has already done seven months, so he will be out in two and a half years,” she said.
Miss Perry worked in Angus as one of the few female chimney sweeps in the country.
Originally from a village near Southend-on-Sea, she left school at 16 and for two years worked for a picture framing company before becoming an engineer for a firm making parts for aircraft. After two years there, she left and did a variety of jobs, including a stint as a chicken farmer. She married and had two children.
She moved to the Brechin area with her daughters seven years ago after visiting on holiday and falling in love with the scenery and tranquillity.
She said, “I came up to visit friends who lived up here and ended up falling for the place.
“Since the attack I have been on anti-depressants and been receiving counselling. I feel like a nutter. I had to give up my job.”
She said, “I tried to get back to work but he (Cannon) was having me followed everywhere. After he has served his two and a half years, he will get his life back and be back after me.
“I promised I would not go to the police that is what saved my life. Because I did go to the police, he told me he will always harbour a grudge.’No life'”We are in our ninth home since then, including six ‘safe’ houses. We have no life.”
The incident happened last September when Cannon stopped in a quiet, unclassified road at Montreathmont Forest and on a farm track at Aldbar, not far from Miss Perry’s cottage at East Pitforthie Farm, by Brechin.
He smashed her mobile phone before repeatedly punching and kicking her on the head and body.
Miss Perry managed to escape, but Cannon dragged her back into the car.
Laura Thomson, prosecuting, told the court, “He kept her in the vehicle for three hours with the engine switched on and a hosepipe through a rear window allowing fumes to enter.
“The intention of the accused at that point was to end both his life and that of Miss Perry. However, due to the car having a catalytic converter, which had the effect of reducing carbon monoxide in the fumes, the attempt was unsuccessful.
“Miss Perry had also managed to open an air vent without him noticing.”
The court heard Cannon conceded defeat and said, “This German car ain’t going to kill us.”
He drove Miss Perry home before she called the police the next day.
Tony Graham, defending, said Cannon was “One half of a couple who should never have got together,” adding, “While this is a serious incident, it is almost bizarre as it is criminal.”
Mr Graham also said Cannon had re-united with the woman he had left for Miss Perry and wanted to continue that relationship.
The court was told Cannon was deemed a high risk to others.
A psychiatric report claimed he showed a “high level of animosity” to Miss Perry and pinned the blame on her.
Lord Bannatyne told him, “This was an extremely nasty offence lasting three hours. It must have been terrifying for the complainer.
“Had the car not been fitted with a catalytic converter, this would have resulted in her death.”