Man admits walking into wheelchair-bound woman’s home and chopping off her hand

A Dundee man has admitted entering a disabled woman's home and chopping off her hand with a knife.

Stephen Brisbane, 34, pleaded guilty at Glasgow High Court to severing Sandra McGowan's right hand on Valentine's Day 2018 and taking it away with him.

Brisbane is accused of entering the pensioner's property uninvited using an electronic key fob.

He is then accused of seizing the 62-year-old's wrist, severing her hand and causing her to lose consciousness.

Read more:

May Day bank holiday traffic: roads set to be busiest since 2016

Brisbane, who has a number of previous convictions, admitted a charge of assault to severe injury, permanent disfigurement, permanent impairment and to the danger of life.

However, he pleaded not guilty to demanding drugs and money from Ms McGowan and stealing an electronic key fob, remote controls and a mobile phone and holder.

There had been prior discussion as to whether Brisbane was fit to stand trial, with psychiatric assessments failing to unanimously decide whether he was mentally well enough at the time of the attack to be held responsible.

He will be sentenced at Glasgow High Court later this month.