Man, 80, attacked with chainsaw in row over tractor sale

A chainsaw-wielding attacker injured an 80-year-old man in a grievance over the sale of a tractor, a court has heard.

Donald Sandilands – known as Donna – threatened to kill Alexander McTavish during the attack in February if money was not repaid.

Armed police were called to the scene in Kinross and found Sandilands with the chainsaw still running, but it was dropped when an officer drew his Taser.

The 47-year-old admitted the attack and was remanded in custody for sentencing at the High Court in Dundee next month.

Mr McTavish lost the use of two fingers as a result of the attack.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard that Sandilands told police: “If I wanted to kill him, I would’ve killed him.”

Advocate depute Ruaraidh Ferguson told the court that Mr McTavish knew Sandiland’s father and had sold him a tractor for £3,500

The prosecutor said Sandilands believed there were various issues with the tractor and talks were taking place over a refund of the money

The court heard that Sandilands drove through Mr McTavish’s garden gate and wielded a chainsaw at the pensioner, demanding money or he would be killed.

Mr McTavish went back into the living room but left glass doors partially open to try to talk to Sandilands.

Sandilands put the chainsaw through a gap between and broke the door glass panels.

The prosecutor said: “Mr McTavish attempted to close the doors on the chainsaw.

“As he did so the accused pushed the chainsaw through the gap, striking the complainer on the left hip and the left hand.

He said that the assault victim described his fingers as “hanging on by the bone” after he was injured.

Mr McTavish fled from the house with Sandilands in pursuit before police arrived and officers ordered the chainsaw to be dropped.

The court heard that Sandilands previously worked as a mechanic, but suffered brain damage after being struck by a tree.