Incident Overview
A man who fatally stabbed his mother while she was reporting him to the police for allegedly attempting to poison his father is to remain detained in a psychiatric hospital.
On 1 June last year, Thomas Fraser, 31, stabbed his mother, Miriam MacDonald, 52, in the neck during a 999 call. Earlier, Fraser had tampered with a soft drink can his father, Ian MacDonald, 55, had consumed.
Fraser also assaulted his father before fleeing the family home located on Craigton Avenue, Inverness, after neighbours intervened to assist his parents.
Miriam MacDonald succumbed to her injuries and died in hospital the following day.
Police later located Fraser, who made a series of disturbing statements including,
"I am Lucifer".
Fraser was described in court as being a "very intelligent man".
Legal Proceedings and Psychiatric Assessment
Fraser faced charges of murder and attempted murder at the High Court in Glasgow. However, he was acquitted after prosecutors accepted that he was suffering from a mental disorder at the time of the offences.
On Friday, Lord Mulholland imposed a compulsion order mandating Fraser's continued treatment at the state hospital.
Consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr Gordon Skilling testified that Fraser suffers from schizophrenia. Dr Skilling stated,
"He believes it was mental health and hallucinations at the time of the assault."
Delusions and Risk Assessment
The psychiatrist further explained that Fraser believed he had a "duty and obligation" to kill individuals he thought 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 was informed that Fraser no longer communicates with friends or family, including his twin sister.
In imposing the order, Judge Mulholland stated,
"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."
Background and Family Context
Fraser also attacked his father before fleeing the family home in Craigton Avenue, Inverness.
At a prior hearing, prosecutor Graeme Jessop KC provided additional details about the circumstances leading to the incident.
Fraser had been living with his parents after returning from Edinburgh in March 2023. He was pursuing a PhD in electronic engineering at Heriot Watt University, having previously earned a master's degree in the same field.
The court heard that Fraser's mental health declined during his time at university and that he became increasingly reclusive upon returning to Inverness.
Days before the attacks, Ian MacDonald discovered a "white residue" on the edge of his coffee machine's water tank. When confronted by his parents, Fraser denied responsibility.
On the day of the stabbing, Fraser denied having spiked a can of Pepsi that his father had been drinking. His mother subsequently dialed 999 to report her concerns.
Details of the Attack
While Miriam MacDonald was on the phone, Fraser assaulted his father, inflicting slashes on his arm and stabbing him in the chest. The violence continued into the front garden.
Jessop stated,
"While Miriam MacDonald was on the call to the handler, Fraser attacked her, striking her on the neck with a knife."
Fraser then returned to assault his father again. During the call, Miriam MacDonald could be heard pleading for help.
Two neighbours heard the commotion and intervened, using a shovel and a golf club to chase Fraser away.
Miriam MacDonald's condition worsened, and she died the following evening. Her husband sustained multiple injuries, including wounds to his chest, arm, and hands.
Fraser fled the scene but was later found by police at a riverbank holding a blood-stained knife.
He was arrested and made several incriminating statements.
Court and Psychiatric Findings
Fraser appeared in court after being transferred from the State Hospital at Carstairs.
Psychiatrists concluded that he was suffering from a mental disorder at the time of the offences and did not understand the nature or wrongfulness of his actions.
Defence counsel Donald Findlay KC remarked,
"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."
