Adobe StockA man has admitted the attempted murder of a woman in Stirling, which led to the First Minister issuing a plea for people not to spread “false information” about the incident online.
Callum Fisher attacked the 21-year-old stranger in Stirling city centre as she walked with friends on August 3, 2024.
She was struck once in the stomach with a survival-style blade.
The first-time offender faces a lengthy jail term after he admitted attempted murder charge at the High Court in Glasgow.
The incident led to First Minister John Swinney warning against “unhelpful speculation” after suggestions on social media claimed three people had been stabbed and that the attacker was a Muslim.
The victim had returned to Stirling with two friends that Saturday evening, having been for a day out in Glasgow.
They were walking to a bar when they became aware of an unknown male – Fisher – in the street.
Prosecutor Alasdair Shaw told the court there was then an “exchange” between the young women and Fisher.
Mr Shaw said: “He said: ‘Do you think you are funny?’
“The girls laughed this off, but Fisher walked towards them and stated, ‘I will stab you’.
“They did not think this was a serious comment. They remarked to each other that they did not think he would do that and thought he was joking.”
Fisher, of Stirling, continued to follow them.
Mr Shaw said: “The victim turned to him and asked for him to leave them alone.”
It was shortly after this, Fisher grabbed a knife from his jacket pocket and stabbed the victim once.
The advocate depute said: “She felt a sharp pain and fell to the ground. She felt her stomach was bleeding.”
The whole exchange with Fisher lasted less than one minute.
The attacker casually walked off through the city centre. One person tried to record him on a mobile phone.
Witnesses rushed to help the woman and emergency services were called:
Mr Shaw said: “She was in a state of distress, believing that she would die.”
The victim was rushed to hospital – the knife wound had caused damage to her liver described as a “significant injury”.
It was said to be potentially life-threatening, but she did not require surgery.
Fisher was arrested the next day having been traced to his home.
Lord Scott continued his remand in custody as sentencing was deferred for reports until next month.
The judge remarked it was “a very serious charge and perhaps an unusual set of circumstances”.
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