Gairloch pensioner stabbed friend in the neck after a day of drinking Inverness Sheriff Court is told
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A former gamekeeper lashed out with a 'Commando' style knife.
Duncan Mackenzie (71) had phoned Andrew Davies on January 25, asking him to get him a bottle of whisky while he was at the local shop.
Inverness Sheriff Court heard that Mr Davies brought the whisky to Mackenzie's home in Burnside Terrace, Gairloch, and they spent the rest of the day drinking it and cans of cider.
However, fiscal depute Robert Weir told Sheriff Eilidh Macdonald, around midnight the pair had an argument.
"During the altercation, Mackenzie made his way through to his bedroom before returning with a 'Commando' style knife," Mr Weir said.
"He then put the knife to Mr Davies's throat. Mr Davies said: 'You won't do it, you are all mouth, you.'
"At this point, Mackenzie stabbed him once to the front centre of his neck.
"Realising he was bleeding, Mr Davies immediately used his mobile phone to dial 999 while Mackenzie sat back in a chair.
"Mr Davies was advised to apply pressure to the wound."
Mr Weir said that an ambulance arrived about 12.30am.
"Mr Davies was conscious and breathing and holding a heavily bloodstained towel to his neck," he said.
The court was told that when police arrived at Mackenzie's house he claimed that Mr Davies had arrived injured at his door.
But police saw blood on the carpet and Mackenzie was arrested.
The knife was found hidden in a wellington boot.
Mr Davies sustained a 2cm wide wound but it did not require stitching, although a vein had been cut.
Mackenzie admitted assault to injury and danger of life.
Sentence was deferred for a background report until August 2.
Mackenzie's bail was continued meantime.
