A recent incident in a tranquil sheltered housing complex in Stanley, Perthshire, has left residents deeply shaken, after a man wielding knives launched a terrifying spree of aggression and intimidation. John Hayton, 53, unleashed a wave of fear, forcing one elderly individual to flee their home and a female neighbour to take refuge in her bathroom, fearing for her life.
The distressing events unfolded on the evening of July 9, beginning when Hayton approached a neighbour’s door, shouting aggressively and repeatedly banging. When the occupant opened, Hayton immediately accused him, yelling: “You know what you’ve done. You’ve killed my mum.” Without invitation, he then violently pushed his way into the property, launching a barrage of kicks and punches at the man.
In a desperate attempt to de-escalate the situation, the resident managed to push Hayton back out of his home. However, the attacker quickly re-entered and locked the door, trapping the resident outside his own property. Distressed, the man called out to a nearby neighbour, urging her to contact the authorities for help.
Moments later, Hayton burst back out of the property, resuming his assault on the first victim, all while continuing his agitated tirade about his mother. The situation escalated dramatically as Hayton brandished two kitchen knives, which he had reportedly taken from the victim’s kitchen. He pursued the terrified man, shouting deeply disturbing threats, including: “You paedo, you paedo, I’m going to f***ing kill.” The victim, described as utterly petrified, managed to escape the chase and sought refuge in another resident’s home. A Horrifying Encounter
The ordeal continued as Hayton then entered the home of the woman who was on the phone to the police. He confronted her, pointing a large kitchen knife with a black handle directly towards her throat. Although the blade did not make physical contact, it was held at arm’s length, causing the woman immense terror. She recounted being “terrified and scared for her life” during the harrowing encounter.
During this chilling confrontation, Hayton made a series of irrational demands. He repeatedly asked the woman about the whereabouts of his mother, calling her by different names. When she attempted to clarify her identity, he vehemently demanded proof. Even after she presented him with a letter bearing her name and address, he dismissed it, refusing to believe her. His behaviour grew increasingly erratic as he then demanded to know “where the stairs were that went under the house.”
The terrified woman, struggling to comprehend his agitated state, tried to explain that no such stairs existed in her home. This rational response only intensified Hayton’s rage. He began shouting furiously, waving the knife menacingly, and threatening to stab her if she was lying. In a desperate bid to survive the ordeal, she pointed towards the back of the house, indicating that the stairs might be found there.
As soon as Hayton exited the property in search of these non-existent stairs, the woman seized the opportunity to lock her door immediately. However, her relief was short-lived. Hayton returned moments later, banging and kicking violently, attempting to regain entry. The traumatised woman, now fearing for her life even more acutely, barricaded herself in her bathroom. It remained unclear whether Hayton ultimately managed to force his way back inside through an open window. Police Intervention and Legal Consequences
The volatile situation prompted a rapid response from armed police officers, who swiftly descended upon the cul-de-sac in Stanley, a typically serene Perthshire village where such disturbing events are uncommon. Confronting Hayton, who initially concealed his hands behind his back, an officer deployed a taser, ‘red-dotting’ him before he complied with instructions to drop the knives and get to the ground, where he was subsequently restrained.
However, Hayton’s aggressive behaviour persisted. While being transported to Dundee Police Headquarters in a police van, he made further threats, telling an officer he would slit their throat. His erratic state meant that officers were initially unable to formally charge him.
Appearing before Perth Sheriff Court, John Hayton pleaded guilty to multiple serious charges, including assault, threatening and abusive behaviour, and illegal possession of knives. His defence lawyer, David Holmes, informed the court that his client claimed to have no memory of the incidents. Holmes noted that Hayton had a lengthy criminal record, predominantly for acquisitive crimes, and had even been found in Aberdeen the week prior with no recollection of how he got there.
Despite this claim, medical professionals who assessed Hayton did not support a Section 51a application, a legal defence asserting that an accused person was not responsible for their conduct due to a mental disorder. This means the court will proceed with sentencing based on his guilty pleas.
Sheriff Simon Collins KC underscored the gravity of the offences, stating clearly that Hayton should anticipate a “significant custodial sentence.” Hayton has been held in remand since his arrest, awaiting the final judgment. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of community safety and the vulnerability of residents in sheltered housing, even in quieter corners of Perth and Kinross. The swift response by emergency services undoubtedly prevented further harm and brought a measure of security back to a deeply distressed neighbourhood.
The distressing events unfolded on the evening of July 9, beginning when Hayton approached a neighbour’s door, shouting aggressively and repeatedly banging. When the occupant opened, Hayton immediately accused him, yelling: “You know what you’ve done. You’ve killed my mum.” Without invitation, he then violently pushed his way into the property, launching a barrage of kicks and punches at the man.
In a desperate attempt to de-escalate the situation, the resident managed to push Hayton back out of his home. However, the attacker quickly re-entered and locked the door, trapping the resident outside his own property. Distressed, the man called out to a nearby neighbour, urging her to contact the authorities for help.
Moments later, Hayton burst back out of the property, resuming his assault on the first victim, all while continuing his agitated tirade about his mother. The situation escalated dramatically as Hayton brandished two kitchen knives, which he had reportedly taken from the victim’s kitchen. He pursued the terrified man, shouting deeply disturbing threats, including: “You paedo, you paedo, I’m going to f***ing kill.” The victim, described as utterly petrified, managed to escape the chase and sought refuge in another resident’s home. A Horrifying Encounter
The ordeal continued as Hayton then entered the home of the woman who was on the phone to the police. He confronted her, pointing a large kitchen knife with a black handle directly towards her throat. Although the blade did not make physical contact, it was held at arm’s length, causing the woman immense terror. She recounted being “terrified and scared for her life” during the harrowing encounter.
During this chilling confrontation, Hayton made a series of irrational demands. He repeatedly asked the woman about the whereabouts of his mother, calling her by different names. When she attempted to clarify her identity, he vehemently demanded proof. Even after she presented him with a letter bearing her name and address, he dismissed it, refusing to believe her. His behaviour grew increasingly erratic as he then demanded to know “where the stairs were that went under the house.”
The terrified woman, struggling to comprehend his agitated state, tried to explain that no such stairs existed in her home. This rational response only intensified Hayton’s rage. He began shouting furiously, waving the knife menacingly, and threatening to stab her if she was lying. In a desperate bid to survive the ordeal, she pointed towards the back of the house, indicating that the stairs might be found there.
As soon as Hayton exited the property in search of these non-existent stairs, the woman seized the opportunity to lock her door immediately. However, her relief was short-lived. Hayton returned moments later, banging and kicking violently, attempting to regain entry. The traumatised woman, now fearing for her life even more acutely, barricaded herself in her bathroom. It remained unclear whether Hayton ultimately managed to force his way back inside through an open window. Police Intervention and Legal Consequences
The volatile situation prompted a rapid response from armed police officers, who swiftly descended upon the cul-de-sac in Stanley, a typically serene Perthshire village where such disturbing events are uncommon. Confronting Hayton, who initially concealed his hands behind his back, an officer deployed a taser, ‘red-dotting’ him before he complied with instructions to drop the knives and get to the ground, where he was subsequently restrained.
However, Hayton’s aggressive behaviour persisted. While being transported to Dundee Police Headquarters in a police van, he made further threats, telling an officer he would slit their throat. His erratic state meant that officers were initially unable to formally charge him.
Appearing before Perth Sheriff Court, John Hayton pleaded guilty to multiple serious charges, including assault, threatening and abusive behaviour, and illegal possession of knives. His defence lawyer, David Holmes, informed the court that his client claimed to have no memory of the incidents. Holmes noted that Hayton had a lengthy criminal record, predominantly for acquisitive crimes, and had even been found in Aberdeen the week prior with no recollection of how he got there.
Despite this claim, medical professionals who assessed Hayton did not support a Section 51a application, a legal defence asserting that an accused person was not responsible for their conduct due to a mental disorder. This means the court will proceed with sentencing based on his guilty pleas.
Sheriff Simon Collins KC underscored the gravity of the offences, stating clearly that Hayton should anticipate a “significant custodial sentence.” Hayton has been held in remand since his arrest, awaiting the final judgment. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of community safety and the vulnerability of residents in sheltered housing, even in quieter corners of Perth and Kinross. The swift response by emergency services undoubtedly prevented further harm and brought a measure of security back to a deeply distressed neighbourhood.