Man denies knife attack at Wick house

A man is to fight a charge of serious assault involving a knife and an attempted robbery.

George Harper (41) is alleged to have repeatedly punched Graham Paterson, causing him to fall to the floor, sat on his back, wrapped a belt around his neck and tightened it, restricting his breathing and causing him to begin to lose consciousness, and repeatedly stamped on him while uttering threats to kill him, all to his injury, and attempt to rob him of money.

The attack is said to have occurred on March 9, at a house in Bremner's Walk, Wick, the town's sheriff court heard earlier this week.

Harper, whose address was given as a prisoner at Inverness, appeared on remand, on a video link from the prison and pleaded not guilty to the indictment.

The case will call at Inverness Sheriff Court, on July 28.