Man accused of attempted murders remanded following Crown appeal

A FORT William man accused of two attempted murders with a chainsaw has been remanded in custody despite being bailed by a sheriff at Inverness court last Thursday.

James Macdonald, 48, was granted bail by Sheriff Gordon Fleetwood when he appeared in private on petition in Inverness on Thursday July 28.

Prosecutors appealed the sheriff’s decision to free him on bail and he was remanded in custody until the next day when he was due to appear in Edinburgh appeal court.

The Edinburgh court granted the Crown’s appeal on Friday July 29 and Macdonald will remain in custody until his next appearance, the date of which is still to be confirmed.

He was represented by Fort William defence lawyer Hamish Melrose.

Macdonald is accused of assaulting Flora MacPherson, 63, and Raymond MacPherson, 73, with a chainsaw on Tuesday July 19, causing severe injury to both.

Mr MacPherson’s arm was badly damaged in the incident at their home, 78 Glenkingie Street, Caol.

In addition to the two charges of attempted murder, Macdonald also faces a breach of the peace charge.

Flora MacPherson was due to appear at Inverness sheriff court on Friday July 29.

MacPherson is facing three charges of embezzlement, fraud and theft.

A further hearing date was set for September 23 in Inverness. Her trial is to be in Fort William sheriff court the week commencing Monday October 17.