The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Man admits chopping off disabled woman’s hand
Wheelchair-bound Dundee lady was maimed for life in brutal attack
A man has admitted chopping off a disabled woman’s hand in a horrifying attack in her Dundee home.
At Glasgow High Court yesterday, Stephen Brisbane, 34, pled guilty to maiming wheelchair-bound Sandra McGowan after entering her home in Charleston on February 14, 2018.
After using an electronic key fob to enter the house, he grabbed her right wrist before hacking it off with a knife.
He then picked up the hand and ran off, leaving Ms McGowan unconscious in her wheelchair.
None further facts relating to the circumstances of the case were narrated in court.
Prosecutor Richard Goddard QC said: “The plea was only agreed in the course of this morning and there is some considerable background to this case.
“I would ask the case be deferred for a full narrative to be heard.”
The court was told Brisbane has a number of previous convictions.
Judge Johanna Johnston deferred sentence until later this month.
She told Brisbane, who is in custody: “You have accepted your guilt to a serious offence.”
Defence QC Mark Stewart said: “There is a medical background to this matter and it may take some time to put that into a narrative.”
Brisbane admitted assaulting Ms McGowan to her severe injury, permanent disfigurement, permanent impairment and to the danger of her life.
The allegations that Brisbane caused Ms McGowan to fall from her wheelchair onto the ground was deleted from the charge as was the claim that he robbed her of a ring and failed to get medical assistance for her were removed from the charge.
His plea of not guilty to earlier that night entering Ms McGowan’s home and demanding drugs and money from her and stealing an electronic key fob, remote controls and a mobile phone and holder was accepted.
Brisbane also denied stealing a mobile phone from his sister Claire Brisbane at a flat in Pitalpin Court, Dundee, on February 13 2018.
This not guilty plea was also accepted. After Brisbane’s admission, which came following several court appearances, Police Scotland’s Detective Inspector Tom Leonard said: “The attack on Sandra McGowan was brutal and horrific and resulted in life changing injuries for her.
“Our thoughts continue to be with Sandra and her family.
“I would like to take the opportunity to commend the officers and ambulance staff who attended the scene in the first instance and administered first aid to keep Sandra alive despite the severity of the injury.”