Inverness man faces charges of murdering his mother and attempting to murder another man

A 30-year-old man has appeared in private at Inverness Sheriff Court accused of murdering his mother and attempting to murder another man with knives.

Thomas Fraser, from Inverness, who was represented by his solicitor Marc Dickson, made no plea, was committed for further examination and remanded in custody by Sheriff Eilidh Macdonald.

Fraser’s mother Miriam Macdonald (51) was taken to Raigmore Hospital with serious injuries before her death. Her husband Ian (55) was also taken to hospital with serious injuries. It is understood that he is in intensive care but his condition has not been officially disclosed.

Fraser’s arrest followed an incident in Craigton Avenue on Sunday. Police were called to a property at around 7.30pm following reports of two people having been injured.

The force said it was a contained incident, adding that they were not looking for anyone else.

Fraser was arrested on Sunday night and had been expected to appear in court on Monday morning. However that was delayed 24 hours and in the meantime, his mother passed away.

The first charge alleges that Fraser repeatedly stabbed Ian Macdonald on the body with two knives to his serious injury, danger of life and he attempted to murder him.

The second charge alleges that he murdered his mother by repeatedly stabbing her to the head, neck and body with two knives.

Fraser is expected to appear in court again within the next eight days.