'Delusional' GP attacker cleared

Dr Jackson was stabbed by McGregor in her Hyndland surgery

A man who repeatedly stabbed a GP in her Glasgow surgery has been cleared of the attack.

Lord Carloway ruled at the High Court in Glasgow that Ian McGregor, 62, was insane at the time.

McGregor stabbed Dr Helen Jackson, 57, at her surgery in Hyndland Road on 30 August 2007.

Judge Lord Carloway said McGregor was suffering from delusions when he attacked Dr Jackson. He ordered him to be held in psychiatric care.

The court feels it has no alternative but to accept the conclusion that on the balance of probability Mr McGregor was insane at the time Lord Carloway

Lord Carloway said: "There is no doubt that at the time of the offence Mr McGregor was suffering from delusions and this had an effect on his reason.

"However, he was able to function at some level. He made his way to the surgery having armed himself with a knife.

"He engaged in an apparently normal conversation before saying: 'This is your end' and repeatedly stabbed her with a knife.

"The court feels it has no alternative but to accept the conclusion that on the balance of probability Mr McGregor was insane at the time. The court acquits him on the grounds of insanity."

Lord Carloway ordered McGregor to be held in the medium secure unit at the Rowanbank clinic in Stobhill Hospital, Glasgow, on an interim compulsion order.

Unfit to plead

He said that for the safety of the public he may consider placing McGregor on a restriction order without limit of time.

McGregor did not stand trial after he had been deemed unfit to plead following a stroke.

An examination of facts took place at which it emerged McGregor believed he was the victim of a conspiracy by Dr Jackson and other doctors.

He also believed that his wife and Dr Jackson were plotting to kill him and that her brother, the Rangers FC physio, and his defence counsel Donald Findlay QC were also involved in the conspiracy.

Dr Jackson told the hearing how she fell to the floor, shut her eyes and put her hand up to protect her face as she was attacked by McGregor.

McGregor was originally charged with attempted murder, but at the end of the examination of facts the charge was reduced to assault to danger of life.