A heavily intoxicated man who tried to murder a stranger asked his victim “do you want stabbed?” moments before plunging a knife into his chest, a court has heard.
George Stewart, 20, chased dog walker Robert Preston through a swing park in Blairgowrie before attacking him with a blade on August 5.
The High Court in Edinburgh heard that Mr Preston started running after he saw bare-chested Stewart running towards him.
The court heard how 53-year-old Mr Preston slipped and fell to the ground which allowed the first offender to catch up with him.
He stabbed his victim three times causing him injuries which accident and emergency doctors thought were “potentially life-threatening”. One of the wounds punctured Mr Preston’s right lung.
Prosecution lawyer Jane Farquharson related details of the attack to judge Lord Summers.
She said: “As he looked up, Mr Preston saw the accused holding a knife in his right hand. In an attempt to calm the accused down, Mr Preston asked what he wanted.
“The accused is described as being hysterical and ranting. He replied that he wanted to stab the complainer in the mouth. He stood over Mr Preston who lay crouched on the ground.
“Mr Preston managed to grab the accused by his right wrist in an effort to avoid being struck with the knife.
“The accused managed to make contact, superficially cutting Mr Preston on the mouth.
“The accused repeatedly shouted ‘stab’.
“When Mr Preston shouted out for help, the accused asked him why he was shouting for help.
“The accused switched the knife from his right hand into his left and struck Mr Preston to the right side of his chest. He then got up and walked away.”
The story emerged after Stewart, who is currently detained in the Young Offenders Institute in Polmont, Stirlingshire, pleaded guilty to attempted murder and breach of the peace charges.
Ms Farquharson told the court that earlier the same evening in Arbroath, Stewart intimidated a couple who were walking home.
She told the court that Stewart approached Reece Walters and his partner, Tanya Nicoll, in the town’s Millgate Loan.
The court heard that Stewart pulled out a knife which had a curved blade and was approximately eight centimetres long.
Stewart threatened to stab the couple but later ran off when a friend of their’s who was driving past stopped her vehicle.
Later the same evening in Blairgowrie, Stewart went to the house of a woman called Rebecca McDonald.
Ms Farquharson told the court that he took possession of a knife and a pair of scissors.
Stewart then headed towards the play park near Rattray Primary School in Blairgowrie where he threatened Mr Preston.
Lord Summers deferred sentence on Stewart until December 15 for reports.
