Man convicted of knife attack on lover in Outer Hebrides

A man is behind bars after being convicted of an attack on his partner in the Outer Hebrides.

Angus MacDonald stabbed Anne Stewart once with a knife at a house in Griminish on the Isle of Benbecula on January 2.

The 49 year-old had originally faced an allegation of attempted murder.

But, after a trial at the High Court in Glasgow, MacDonald was found guilty of the reduced charge of assault.

The jury ruled that he had acted under provocation.

Judge Kenneth MacIver remanded MacDonald as he deferred sentencing until later this month for reports.

He told MacDonald: “This is a serious matter and I will have to impose a custodial sentence.”

The court heard how Miss Stewart had initially hit MacDonald during a drunken row.

He then grabbed a knife and lashed out at his lover of 12 years.

Miss Stewart required to have a chest drain inserted into her wound, which was described as potentially life threatening.

MacDonald had denied the attack and had lodged a special defence of self defence.

The jury was told Miss Stewart has since left Benbecula.