Inverness man denies attempted murder charge over alleged frenzied attack on his mother on New Year's Day

The High Court in Inverness is located at the Inverness Justice Centre.

A 78-year-old woman was strangled by her son during a frenzied attack at her Smithton home on New Year’s Day last year, it has been claimed.

In the dock at the High Court in Inverness is Bruce Davis, 52, accused of attempting to murder Thomasina McAskill in Smithton Villas.

He will face a jury trial expected to last at least three days.

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The indictment he denies says he repeatedly kicked her on the body, grabbed her by the hair, held her, threw household furniture at her, pulled her sweater over her head and strangled her, then hit her several times, all to her serious injury, and permanently endangered her life and attempted to murder her.

Davis, who is on remand at Saughton Prison in Edinburgh, faces a second charge of threatening or abusive behavior as he repeatedly shouted, swore, acted aggressively and disorderly and damaged furniture home on January 1st.

The trial, before Lord Summers, opened with a presentation of agreed evidence between the prosecution, led by depute counsel Shahid Latif, and defense barrister Graeme Brown.

Mr Latif told the jury Davis made a 999 call at 4.02pm on January 1, followed by a second call from an anonymous person at 5.28pm.

The court heard Ms McAskill survived the attack but has died since the alleged incident. However, she made statements to the police, which will be read to the jury.

It was not disputed that his injuries, while not life-threatening, had the potential to cause complications, medical experts ruled.

His entire body was covered in bruises; she had two broken ribs, an obstructed lung, a fracture to the left side of her jaw and two broken bones in her left leg.

A broken table leg was seized at the scene by police.

The trial was adjourned on Wednesday afternoon due to difficulties with police witnesses and resumes on Thursday. However, the jury was told it would also be up early that day and would not resume until Tuesday.

Lord Summers said he was due to travel to Edinburgh on Friday and the court was closed on Monday due to a local public holiday.

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