Son who killed mother to be kept in psychiatric hospital

A man who killed his mother as she reported him to police for trying to poison his father is to be kept in a psychiatric hospital.

Thomas Fraser stabbed Miriam MacDonald, 52, in the neck while she was on a 999 call on 1 June last year.

Fraser, 31, had earlier spiked a soft drink can his father, Ian MacDonald, 55, had been drinking.

He also attacked his father before fleeing the family home in Craigton Avenue, Inverness, after neighbours stepped in to try and help his parents.

Miriam MacDonald died in hospital the following day.

Fraser was later traced by police and made a string of disturbing remarks including: "I am Lucifer".

He had faced charges of murder and attempted murder at the High Court in Glasgow.

But he was acquitted after prosecutors accepted he was suffering from a mental disorder at the time.

On Friday, the judge, Lord Mulholland, imposed a compulsion order which keeps Fraser in treatment at the state hospital.

Consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr Gordon Skilling told the court that Fraser suffered from schizophrenia.

Dr Skilling said: "He believes it was mental health and hallucinations at the time of the assault."

The doctor told the court that Fraser believed he had a "duty and obligation" to kill people he believed were "possessed by demon entities".

Dr Skilling added: "He said he won't hesitate to kill again if he had access to weapons and noticed someone was possessed."

The court heard that Fraser no longer speaks to friends or family, which includes his twin sister.

Imposing the order, Judge Mulholland said: "It is in your interest and the public's interest to be detained in the hospital for your mental illness.

"You do not have a say in that. You will be in the state hospital for treatment.

"You have a restriction order which stops you from being discharged for your safety and public safety."

At a previous hearing, prosecutor Graeme Jessop KC revealed further details of the circumstances.

Fraser lived with his parents following his move back from Edinburgh in March 2023.

He had been studying for a PhD in electronic engineering at Heriot Watt University, having previously been awarded a masters degree in the subject.

The court heard there had been a decline in his mental health at university and he was said to have become "reclusive" on returning to Inverness.

Days before the attacks, Ian MacDonald had been making a coffee when he discovered a "white residue" on the edge of the machine's water tank.

Fraser was confronted by his parents, but he denied being responsible.

On the day he stabbed his mother, the student denied spiking a can of Pepsi his father had been drinking.

His mother went on to dial 999 to highlight her concerns.

While she was on the phone, Fraser attacked his father, slashed him on the arm and stabbed him in the chest.

The violence then spilled into the front garden.

Jessop added: "While Miriam MacDonald was on the call to the handler, Fraser attacked her, striking her on the neck with a knife."

Fraser then went back out to his father and hit him again. His mother could be heard begging for help on the call.

Two neighbours heard what was happening and used a shovel and a golf club to chase Fraser away.

The court heard how Miriam MacDonald's condition deteriorated and she died the following evening.

Her husband suffered a number of wounds including to his chest, arm and hands.

Fraser fled, but he was traced later that night at a river bank clutching a blood-stained knife.

Jessop said he was arrested and went on to make a number of incriminating comments.

Fraser appeared in court having been brought from the State Hospital at Carstairs.

Psychiatrists concluded that he was suffering from a mental disorder at the time and did not appreciate the "nature or wrongfulness" of his conduct.

Donald Findlay KC, defending, said: "He is a very intelligent young man, an outstanding career in prospect in government service in relation to radar and all sorts of research matters.

"But, something terrible has gone wrong."