Anti-gay man admits knife attack

A HOMOPHOBIC man threatened a "gender reassignment" patient with a knife, a court heard yesterday.

Scott Mackenzie, 27, slit William Wood's neck and almost killed him. He was holding a knife at his throat when police broke up the attack.

They managed to persuade him to drop the weapon, but he later told officers: "People like that should not be able to walk in society."

Mackenzie, of Inverness, admitted attempting to murder 24-year-old Mr Wood on 30 October last year. He will be sentenced next month.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard that the two men were introduced by Mackenzie's girlfriend and they all spent several hours drinking before going to Mackenzie's flat.

Mr Wood wore women's clothing and described himself as a bisexual transvestite. "He is in the process of obtaining gender reassignment," said advocate depute, Alastair Brown.

"Mr Wood undressed down to a pair of satin pants. He made a pass at the accused. (Mackenzie] found that unwelcome and rejected it."

After surrendering, Mackenzie said he was homophobic and that society had enough problems "without these people".

Mr Wood has been left with scars to his face and neck.