Myles Gallacher admits stab attack after stepson's suicide

A man has admitted repeatedly stabbing an ex-firefighter who his stepson had made allegations against before he took his own life.

Myles Gallacher attacked David Wishart, 55, in the victim's home in Wemyss Bay, Inverclyde, last April.

Gallacher's stepson Dale Mulholland took his life weeks earlier having made allegations against Mr Wishart, which prosecutors eventually dropped.

At the High Court in Glasgow, sentence on Gallacher, 50, was deferred.

The court heard how 22-year-old Mr Mulholland took his own life in March last year.

He was the son of Gallacher's partner, Patricia Mulholland. Her sister Linda is married to Mr Wishart.

Prior to his death, Mr Mulholland had made a complaint to police about Mr Wishart, who had denied the allegations.

Prosecutor Andrew Brown QC said that after Mr Mulholland took his own life "various members of his family" blamed Mr Wishart for what happened.

As a result, the Wisharts were not invited to the young man's funeral.

The court heard how Mr Wishart had been sleeping on the couch at his Wemyss Bay home in the early hours of 9 April when he became aware of Gallacher in his living room.

Mr Brown said: "He stood up, but was pushed to the floor by the accused, who remained silent throughout, not uttering a word."

Gallacher, from Greenock, then produced a large military-style knife and repeatedly struck the 55-year-old on the face and stomach.

Mrs Wishart raced down from her bedroom and discovered Gallacher sitting on her husband, who was covered in blood.

He told her to "stay out of it" before fleeing the scene with another man after Mrs Wishart screamed.

Mr Wishart was rushed to hospital suffering from multiple stab wounds and required surgery to his abdomen.

He was kept in hospital for seven days and medics said his injuries had been potentially life-threatening.

Lord Bannatyne revoked Gallacher's bail and deferred sentencing until next month at the High Court in Aberdeen.