Skye murder accused 'saw himself as a victim'

A man accused of carrying out knife and gun attacks around Skye saw himself as a victim, the High Court in Edinburgh has heard.

A consultant forensic psychiatrist said Finlay MacDonald suffered from post traumatic stress disorder and a depressive disorder.

Dr Alastair Morris said during a consultation Mr MacDonald told him he had suffered a physical and nervous breakdown, and struggled with people and situations.

The 41-year-old denies attempting to murder his wife and two other people. He has lodged a special defence to the allegation of murdering John MacKinnon, claiming he was suffering from abnormality of mind.

Dr Morris said Mr MacDonald "viewed himself as the victim in all this".

The court had previously heard that the marine engineer is autistic, and Dr Morris was asked about an extract from a report produced by a psychologist.

He said in relation to the alleged offences Mr MacDonald's autism was not at a level or degree that would prevent him defining right from wrong or from controlling his behaviour.

Dr Morris said: "I would agree his ASD (autism spectrum disorder) is towards the milder end of the spectrum."

He is one of four psychologists and psychiatrists expected to be called to give evidence at the trial as expert witnesses.

Mr MacDonald is accused of attempting to murder his wife Rowena MacDonald, 34, on 10 August 2022 at the family home at Tarskavaig, Skye, by repeatedly stabbing her.

He is also accused of murdering distillery worker Mr MacKinnon with a shotgun on the same day at his home on Teangue, Skye.

He is also alleged to have tried to murder retired osteopath John MacKenzie and his wife Fay, both 65, with the shotgun at their home in Dornie, Wester Ross.

The trial before judge Lady Drummond continues.