Man in court accused of attempted murder of two PCs

Remanded in custody

A MAN has appeared in court charged with trying to kill two police officers in a knife attack.

William Taylor, 43, is accused of the attempted murders of PCs Laura Sayer, 39, and Kenny MacKenzie, 43, in Greenock on Friday.

Taylor, of Greenock, was arrested following an incident in the town’s Gateside Gardens after the officers were called to assist a doctor dealing with a mental health assessment.

They were taken to hospital while the suspect was detained and held in police custody until yesterday, when he appeared at Greenock Sheriff Court to face two charges of attempted murder, one of behaving in a threatening or abusive way and one of resisting arrest.

Taylor is charged with trying to kill the police officers by raining blows on them with a knife. Prosecutors claim he carried out a life-threatening attack on PC MacKenzie in a bid to kill him by striking him on the head and body with a knife, leaving him scarred for life.

They also claim he tried to murder PC Sayer by repeatedly striking her on the body with a knife to her severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

The other charges relate to behaving in a way likely to cause fear or alarm and struggling violently with officers in the execution of their duty.

Taylor made no plea to the charges and was remanded in custody for psychiatric treatment.

No future court dates have been set, but he is expected to make a second court appearance in connection with the case next week.