Life for thug who cut off wheelchair OAP’s hand
BY WILMA RILEY reporters@dailyrecord.co.uk
A VIOLENT thug who chopped off a wheelchair-bound woman’s hand minutes after giving her a cuddle was yesterday given a life sentence.
The High Court in Glasgow heard that, after hacking off 64-year-old Sandra McGowan’s right hand, Stephen Brisbane put it in his mum’s freezer.
Judge Johanna Johnston QC told 34-year-old Brisbane, who has 100 previous convictions, he posed a high risk to the public and may never be released.
She imposed an order for lifelong restriction – similar to a life sentence – with a punishment part of four years. The judge told him: “You inflicted horrendous injuries on her.
This has changed her life. She has suffered dreadfully.”
Defence QC Mark Stewart said at an earlier hearing: “He thought he was suffering from a serious illness and said he had been advised by Barack Obama to take crystal meth. He had been told it was the cure for his illness and could be extracted from the bones of human beings.”
Brisbane admitted entering the OAP’s home in South Road, Dundee, at 4.15am on February 14, 2018, and assaulting her to her severe injury, permanent disfigurement, permanent impairment and to the danger of her life.
When he tricked his way into Sandra’s house, she thought he was one of her carers.
But after giving her a cuddle and offering her a cup of tea he went into the kitchen, came back out and began sawing at her hand with a knife.
Sandra, who is paralysed on the left side of her body after a stroke 14 years ago, fainted. Before Brisbane left he picked up the bloodied hand and put it in a carrier bag.