A man who killed a dog with a screwdriver before burying him in a shallow grave in Dundee is not receiving the appropriate mental health care, it has been claimed.
Bradley Simpson, 24, appeared at Dundee Sheriff Court via video link from Perth Prison.
Simpson was remanded in custody after he admitted carrying out the killing at his family home in Dundee on April 1 this year.
The remains of Buddy the German shepherd were found burned and buried in a shallow grave in a public park after the horrific attack.
Simpson was locked up pending the preparation of reports after a sheriff was told he had already been freed five times on bail prior to the attack.
He admitted causing a protected animal unnecessary suffering by repeatedly stabbing it with a screwdriver in the city’s Honeygreen Road and Linlathen Park.
Sentence further deferred
He had his sentence further deferred after solicitor Carolyn Leckie called for more time to gather psychiatric reports for her client.
She told the court Simpson’s mental health had been “deteriorating” since he was remanded in custody ahead of his trial earlier this year.
She said: “He was in segregation because of his mental health.
“The services have let everyone down badly.
“Myself and my colleague have written to the NHS and the Scottish Government expressing our concerns about the lack of mental health care.
“He would be able to access better mental health care in the community.
“He is also a target in prison.
“The psychiatric reports have not been completed properly.
“It is a very difficult situation.
“We are not confident the authorities would be able to help him while he is on remand.”
Sheriff Gregor Murray deferred sentence for one week to allow the defence to gain sanction for a fresh psychiatric review.
