Man attempted to murder runner as she trained for a marathon

A man who repeatedly stabbed a lone runner as she trained for a marathon has been jailed for seven years for her attempted murder.

Tommy-Jay Wallace, 24, told police he had taken a mix of heroin and crack cocaine and possibly LSD before attacking the woman in Dundee on 14 May last year.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard that the woman, who was a stranger to Wallace, tried to run away and also fought back before he walked off.

The court also heard the assault left the woman physically scarred, suffering post traumatic stress and too scared to go out at night. Judge Lord Young told Wallace: "Your attack has had a totally devastating effect on every aspect of her life."

Lord Young said Wallace would have faced a 10-year jail term for the offence but for his early guilty plea.

The judge ordered that he should be under strict supervision in the community for a further five years. During that period he would be subject to licence and could be returned to prison if he breached its conditions.

Wallace earlier admitted assaulting the woman at Stannergate Road and Broughty Ferry Road to her severe injury and permanent disfigurement and attempting to murder her.

During the attack he punched her on the head and body, struggled with her, pursued her and repeatedly struck her with a knife.

Advocate depute Tracey Brown told the court that following the violent ordeal the victim was scared to go out at night and was frightened when someone walked behind her.

The woman had gone out for an evening run as part of her training to take part in a marathon.

She finished the run and began to walk home when she became aware of a man jumping out of bushes and coming towards her.

She initially thought it was a prank but then came under attack and tried to fight off her assailant.

She ran off in the direction of a nearby car park where she thought there would be other people, but Wallace chased after her, caught up with her and grabbed her from behind.

He began to stab her and she put up an arm to protect herself and was stabbed in the arm.

The court heard she fought against him and kicked out, but he continued with the assault.

Police received multiple calls from witnesses following the attack and officers found the injured runner, and also traced Wallace to Broughty Ferry Road.

He told officers the woman was running away from him and that he had no reason for assaulting her.

The court heard that Wallace claimed he had "voices in his head". It was later revealed he had previously been diagnosed with drug-induced psychosis.

The court heard that experts who provided reports in the case said Wallace had "an extremely challenging" early childhood and was exposed to drug abuse when he was five-years-old.

Defence solicitor advocate Kris Gilmartin said: "He has a very limited recollection of what happened."

Gilmartin added: "Clearly he is deeply remorseful for his actions and has an insight into the effect his actions will have had and will continue to have on the complainer."

He said Wallace was now drug-free and engaging with authorities.

The court heard that the victim no longer lived in the UK.