A recent high-profile case at the High Court has brought a shocking act of violence in the quiet Perth and Kinross village of Kinross into sharp focus. Donald Sandilands, also known as Donna Sandilands, has admitted to a brutal assault on an 80-year-old local resident, Alexander McTavish. The incident, stemming from a financial disagreement over a tractor sale, escalated into a terrifying ordeal involving a chainsaw, leaving the elderly victim with severe and permanent injuries.
The distressing events unfolded on February 9 of this year, turning a routine evening into a nightmare for Mr. McTavish and his partner. The gravity of the assault, its unexpected nature in a peaceful community, and the extreme methods employed by the assailant have sent a clear message of concern throughout Kinross and the wider Perth and Kinross area. The Origins of a Violent Dispute
The roots of this harrowing confrontation lie in a transaction that occurred in November of the previous year. Mr. McTavish had sold a tractor for £3,500 to Ewan Sandilands, the assailant’s father. Subsequent to the sale, certain issues with the tractor’s performance or condition came to light, prompting ongoing discussions between Mr. McTavish and Ewan Sandilands about a potential refund or replacement. While these negotiations were seemingly confined to the original parties, Donald Sandilands, despite having no direct involvement in the purchase, became deeply aggravated by his father’s unresolved grievance.
This growing frustration on Donald Sandilands’ part rapidly spiralled into explicit threats. Evidence presented during the court proceedings, including alarming text messages exchanged between Donald Sandilands and his father on the day of the attack, revealed a clear intent to inflict harm. In one particularly chilling communication, Donald Sandilands ominously declared: “I’m going to kill him tonight.” This chilling vow foreshadowed the horrific home invasion that was soon to follow. Terrifying Home Invasion and Brutal Attack
Mr. McTavish and his partner were enjoying a quiet evening at their Kinross residence when their peace was shattered. The sound of violent banging outside signalled the arrival of Sandilands, who deliberately drove a vehicle through their garden gate. What immediately followed was a scene of pure menace: Sandilands emerged, wielding a fully operational chainsaw, its engine roaring with a terrifying intensity. The sight of the whirring blades and the assailant’s aggressive demeanor filled the air with palpable dread as he advanced toward Mr. McTavish.
In a desperate attempt to avert disaster, Mr. McTavish retreated into his conservatory, pleading with Sandilands, “Donald, what are you doing?” and urging him to switch off the dangerous tool to allow for a calm discussion. However, rationality had clearly abandoned Sandilands, who responded with a torrent of shouts and expletives. His chilling demand was simple and stark: “Get my father’s money or I will kill you.” The terrifying standoff continued, dominated by the relentless whine of the chainsaw.
As Mr. McTavish tried to close the glass doors of the conservatory for safety, Sandilands, with violent resolve, forced the chainsaw through a gap, shattering the glass. The whirling chain made brutal contact with Mr. McTavish, striking his left hip and, more critically, his left hand. In a desperate, self-preserving action, the elderly man attempted to push the lethal weapon away, but the chainsaw struck his hand once more, causing catastrophic damage. The victim later described his fingers as being “hanging on by the bone”—a testament to the horrific impact of the assault. Swift Police Response and Lasting Injuries
Severely wounded and in immense distress, Mr. McTavish retreated further into his living room, with Sandilands still pursuing him. Meanwhile, showing remarkable composure under pressure, Mr. McTavish’s partner had barricaded herself in a bathroom and successfully placed an emergency 999 call. Emerging later, she witnessed Sandilands further damaging their home, striking the television with the chainsaw. It was at this critical moment, as Mr. McTavish fled the house with his attacker still in pursuit, that armed police units, having received the urgent call, arrived on Kinross High Street.
Officers immediately confronted Sandilands, ordering him to drop the dangerous chainsaw. Faced with the direct threat of a taser, the assailant finally complied. Upon his apprehension, Sandilands made defensive and contradictory statements to the police, claiming, “If I wanted to kill him, I would’ve killed him,” and attempting to shift blame: “I didn’t try to kill him. He is making it up. He cut himself on the chainsaw. He tried to run and grab it.”
Mr. McTavish, however, was in dire need of medical attention and was swiftly transported to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee. There, he underwent extensive surgery on his left hand to repair severe tendon damage. The physical toll of the attack is profound and permanent: Mr. McTavish has tragically lost the functional use of two fingers, a life-altering impairment. He also received treatment for an injury to his left side. Legal Proceedings and Community Impact
The High Court was informed of Donald Sandilands’ background, noting his previous occupation as a mechanic and a past incident where he sustained brain damage after being struck by a tree. Sandilands ultimately admitted to a charge of assault to severe injury, permanent impairment, and disfigurement, acknowledging that his actions had placed the victim’s life in danger. Lord Ericht has deferred sentencing to a later date, pending the preparation of a comprehensive background report. Sandilands remains remanded in custody, with the sentencing hearing scheduled for August 27 at the High Court in Dundee.
This shocking act of violence in Kinross has undoubtedly caused distress and concern among local residents, highlighting vulnerabilities even in seemingly peaceful rural settings. The long-term impact on the victim, his family, and the broader community of Perth and Kinross underscores the devastating consequences when personal disputes escalate to such extreme levels. As the legal process continues, the community awaits a resolution that brings justice for the victim and reinforces the commitment to safety in Perth and Kinross.
The distressing events unfolded on February 9 of this year, turning a routine evening into a nightmare for Mr. McTavish and his partner. The gravity of the assault, its unexpected nature in a peaceful community, and the extreme methods employed by the assailant have sent a clear message of concern throughout Kinross and the wider Perth and Kinross area. The Origins of a Violent Dispute
The roots of this harrowing confrontation lie in a transaction that occurred in November of the previous year. Mr. McTavish had sold a tractor for £3,500 to Ewan Sandilands, the assailant’s father. Subsequent to the sale, certain issues with the tractor’s performance or condition came to light, prompting ongoing discussions between Mr. McTavish and Ewan Sandilands about a potential refund or replacement. While these negotiations were seemingly confined to the original parties, Donald Sandilands, despite having no direct involvement in the purchase, became deeply aggravated by his father’s unresolved grievance.
This growing frustration on Donald Sandilands’ part rapidly spiralled into explicit threats. Evidence presented during the court proceedings, including alarming text messages exchanged between Donald Sandilands and his father on the day of the attack, revealed a clear intent to inflict harm. In one particularly chilling communication, Donald Sandilands ominously declared: “I’m going to kill him tonight.” This chilling vow foreshadowed the horrific home invasion that was soon to follow. Terrifying Home Invasion and Brutal Attack
Mr. McTavish and his partner were enjoying a quiet evening at their Kinross residence when their peace was shattered. The sound of violent banging outside signalled the arrival of Sandilands, who deliberately drove a vehicle through their garden gate. What immediately followed was a scene of pure menace: Sandilands emerged, wielding a fully operational chainsaw, its engine roaring with a terrifying intensity. The sight of the whirring blades and the assailant’s aggressive demeanor filled the air with palpable dread as he advanced toward Mr. McTavish.
In a desperate attempt to avert disaster, Mr. McTavish retreated into his conservatory, pleading with Sandilands, “Donald, what are you doing?” and urging him to switch off the dangerous tool to allow for a calm discussion. However, rationality had clearly abandoned Sandilands, who responded with a torrent of shouts and expletives. His chilling demand was simple and stark: “Get my father’s money or I will kill you.” The terrifying standoff continued, dominated by the relentless whine of the chainsaw.
As Mr. McTavish tried to close the glass doors of the conservatory for safety, Sandilands, with violent resolve, forced the chainsaw through a gap, shattering the glass. The whirling chain made brutal contact with Mr. McTavish, striking his left hip and, more critically, his left hand. In a desperate, self-preserving action, the elderly man attempted to push the lethal weapon away, but the chainsaw struck his hand once more, causing catastrophic damage. The victim later described his fingers as being “hanging on by the bone”—a testament to the horrific impact of the assault. Swift Police Response and Lasting Injuries
Severely wounded and in immense distress, Mr. McTavish retreated further into his living room, with Sandilands still pursuing him. Meanwhile, showing remarkable composure under pressure, Mr. McTavish’s partner had barricaded herself in a bathroom and successfully placed an emergency 999 call. Emerging later, she witnessed Sandilands further damaging their home, striking the television with the chainsaw. It was at this critical moment, as Mr. McTavish fled the house with his attacker still in pursuit, that armed police units, having received the urgent call, arrived on Kinross High Street.
Officers immediately confronted Sandilands, ordering him to drop the dangerous chainsaw. Faced with the direct threat of a taser, the assailant finally complied. Upon his apprehension, Sandilands made defensive and contradictory statements to the police, claiming, “If I wanted to kill him, I would’ve killed him,” and attempting to shift blame: “I didn’t try to kill him. He is making it up. He cut himself on the chainsaw. He tried to run and grab it.”
Mr. McTavish, however, was in dire need of medical attention and was swiftly transported to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee. There, he underwent extensive surgery on his left hand to repair severe tendon damage. The physical toll of the attack is profound and permanent: Mr. McTavish has tragically lost the functional use of two fingers, a life-altering impairment. He also received treatment for an injury to his left side. Legal Proceedings and Community Impact
The High Court was informed of Donald Sandilands’ background, noting his previous occupation as a mechanic and a past incident where he sustained brain damage after being struck by a tree. Sandilands ultimately admitted to a charge of assault to severe injury, permanent impairment, and disfigurement, acknowledging that his actions had placed the victim’s life in danger. Lord Ericht has deferred sentencing to a later date, pending the preparation of a comprehensive background report. Sandilands remains remanded in custody, with the sentencing hearing scheduled for August 27 at the High Court in Dundee.
This shocking act of violence in Kinross has undoubtedly caused distress and concern among local residents, highlighting vulnerabilities even in seemingly peaceful rural settings. The long-term impact on the victim, his family, and the broader community of Perth and Kinross underscores the devastating consequences when personal disputes escalate to such extreme levels. As the legal process continues, the community awaits a resolution that brings justice for the victim and reinforces the commitment to safety in Perth and Kinross.