MAN IN COURT OVER WALLPAPER SHOP STABBING
A man named Gordon Ayre, aged 54, committed a violent assault on his former partner, Mariana Mreana, in the Dundee wallpaper shop where they were both employed.According to court reports, Ayre asked Ms Mreana for "one last hug" after she ended their seven-year relationship.
During the encounter, he repeatedly stabbed her with a knife, plunging it into her breast and abdomen.
The High Court in Edinburgh heard that Ms Mreana sustained permanent scars from the attack.
Ayre pleaded guilty to assault causing severe injury, permanent disfigurement, and posing a danger to life on 2 August.
Additionally, he breached his bail conditions by sending Ms Mreana text messages on 24 August, which were described as apologetic and indicative of a suicidal disposition.
Following the assault, Ayre fled but later surrendered to police.
When police arrived at his home, he was found lying on his bed with three puncture wounds to his stomach and was taken to Ninewells Hospital for treatment.
The court deferred sentencing until 11 January to await reports.
Prosecutor Sean Smith QC detailed the attack, stating that Ayre, after being told their relationship was over, requested a final hug before striking Ms Mreana multiple times with a knife.
Ms Mreana attempted to defend herself and pleaded for him to stop but he continued.
She was wearing multiple layers of clothing at the time to avoid further injury.
After the attack, Ayre also inflicted self-harm by stabbing himself, and police recovered him at his residence.
His actions and subsequent behaviour pointed to a troubled mental state, as evidenced by the messages he sent afterward.
The case emphasizes the violent incident and Ayre's later hospitalization and is scheduled for sentencing in January.
