Knife attacker tried to murder man on Kirkcaldy street after 'chance meeting'

A knife attacker tried to murder a man after “a chance meeting” on the street.

Nathan Johnston repeatedly struck his victim on the head and body with the weapon during the attack in Kirkcaldy, Fife.

Johnston, of Methil, Fife, admitted attempting to murder the victim on October 15 last year.

He repeatedly struck the man on the head and body with a knife to his severe injury, permanent disfigurement, impairment and to the danger of his life.

Advocate depute Ross Price said Johnston and the victim were known to each other. Before the murder bid was launched, the victim became aware of Johnston following him.

Johnston produced a kitchen knife and struck him on the head and arms as the victim raised his hands to protect himself before he made his way home with bleeding wounds.

He told his girlfriend that Johnston was responsible, and emergency services were contacted.

Defence solicitor advocate Gordon Martin said: “Mr Johnston accepts a custodial sentence is inevitable in the particular circumstances of this case. He has come to court prepared to be remanded in custody.”

Mr Martin said: “There is an aspect of Mr Johnston’s life that, to some extent, has brought him a degree of undeserved notoriety in the local community, given his change in sex effectively.”

He said Johnston was previously the victim of an assault but told the court: “There is no evidence linking [the victim] to that assault.”

He said of the attempted murder: “As best as I understand it, it was a chance meeting. He had not gone looking for him. He came across him by chance.”

Johnston, 26, is due to be sentenced at a later date.

The judge at the High Court in Edinburgh made a non harassment order prohibiting him contacting or attempting to contact the victim for 15 years.