Docs say gun attack Inverness guitarist is a danger

Andrew Gunn.

AN Inverness musician – who launched a terrifying attack at gunpoint on three friends which culminated in a nationwide manhunt – was described in court this week by psychiatrists as a danger to himself and others.

And a sheriff placed talent guitarist Andrew Gunn (35) under court orders which mean he can be detained for up to a year for treatment for a mental illness he is suffering from.

A special video link was set up at Inverness Sheriff Court in which Sheriff Ian Abercrombie spoke to Dr Debbie Nelson, a consultant forensic psychiatrist of the Orchard Clinic, a semi-secure unit in Edinburgh.

She confirmed she agreed with the findings of a psychiatric report and described 35-year-old Gunn as having a "delusional disorder".

Dr Nelson said a restriction order, which lasts for up to one year but can be renewed, was necessary because it had been proved without treatment Gunn would be a risk to himself and others.

George Mathers, solicitor, told Sheriff Abercombie the attack by Gunn was entirely attributable to the mental disorder he suffered from and he wished to apologise to all those involved.

Under the terms of a compulsion order Gunn could have been released back into the community.

Sheriff Abercrombie told Gunn he was placing a restriction order upon in him in addition to the compulsion order because of the nature of the offence and the risk he presented to the public and himself.

The sheriff described it as an "unfortunate case".

At previous hearings the court was told how a city centre street was cordoned off after shots were fired during the drama but guitarist Gunn escaped and fled to London where he was eventually caught.

Gunn had told his mother he was going to "bury someone" before launching the attack, which involved the use of handcuffs, an electronic stun gun and an air pistol on victims, fellow musicians William Morrison and Robin Abbot and also Lorna MacLennan at their flat on Baron Taylor's Street.

Gunn had serious mental health problems, which began almost 30 years ago after he received a contaminated blood transfusion.

Gunn, whose address was given as Inverness prison, had admitted abducting and assaulting William Morrison, presenting a stun gun in his face, activating the stun gun, securing his wrists with handcuffs, and presenting an air pistol at him on August 27.

He also pled guilty to assaulting Lorna MacLennan and Robin Abbot at Baron Taylor's Street by discharging a noxious liquid and presenting an air pistol at them.

Depute Fiscal Ron Phillips at the earlier hearing said Gunn knew his three victims well and had formed an "obsession" with Lorna MacLennan that had grown over several years and he was convinced his three friends were involved in an internet hate campaign against him.

Mr Phillips said on August 26 last year, the three victims were in the Market Bar where the two men were playing music. Mr Morrison left the bar at 11.55pm and headed for his flat.

As he was about to enter his flat he was grabbed from behind by Gunn and handcuffed with the stun gun placed close to his face. Mr Morrison was dragged up the stairs and placed in a corridor.

Lorna and Abbot then returned home and as Mr Morrison was about to shout a warning to them, the accused turned towards him and pointed a gun in his face demanding he remained quiet.

"Mr Morrison feared for his life at this point. Gunn demanded that he hand over his flat keys also."

Gunn then went to a flat occupied by Lorna MacLennan and Robin Abbot while Mr Morrison scrambled downstairs and raised the alarm.

Mr Phillips said went into Ms MacLennan and Mr Abbot's flat and accused of her tapping his phone. He sprayed pepper spray in both the victims' faces before being rugby tackled by Mr Abbot who rugby tackled him."

The court heard Gunn fired the air pistol several times at Abbot.

Gunn managed to escape from Inverness and returned to his flat in London where he was eventually arrested.

No fresh date for another court appearance was fixed.