Knife attack ‘extremely disturbing’

A NEWLY-FREED convict stabbed a woman in a random knife attack after telling a pub customer he was “just out, but not for long”.

Robbie Lowther attacked his lone victim after she had separated from a friend, leaving her with an injury to her liver.

He had spoken to the target for his attack outside the Tayport Arms earlier in the evening and told her he was just out of jail.

Lowther, 23, of Cross Street, Tayport, admitted assaulting her to her severe injury, permanent disfigurement and to the danger of her life on January 2 at the town’s Craig Road by striking her with a knife.

A judge told him at the High Court in Edinburgh he found the circumstances of the crime “extremely disturbing”.

Lord Uist said: “You are a man with two previous convictions for carrying a knife or bladed weapon. You were in possession of a knife or bladed weapon on the night in question. You used it to stab a woman who was a complete stranger to you for no apparent reason.”

Advocate depute Jim Keegan QC said: “It appears that the victim was selected at random by the accused and stabbed by him. He attacked her after her friend had left when she was alone. He clearly intended to do her serious harm.”

The victim realised she had been stabbed but managed to continue walking to get to her home and her mother took her to Ninewells Hospital, Dundee. She was left with permanent scarring and needs followup checks on how the liver is healing.

Defence solicitor advocate Iain Paterson said: “He was out drinking that day and apparently drank a considerable amount of alcohol and also took some drugs.”

Sentence was deferred on Lowther until next month for the preparation of reports. He was remanded in custody.