Man tried to strangle mum in family argument

John McGill, 37, had been arguing with his sister and when Mary McGill intervened he launched the attack on her.

Fiscal depute Ruth Ross-Davie said: "His mother began to shout at him about the argument he had had with his sister.

"This new argument between Mrs McGill and McGill escalated to the point he seized hold of his mother and pushed her to the ground.

"He then held her to the ground and held a knife he had taken from a kitchen drawer against the chin area."

The fiscal said his sister had intervened and he had let go of his mother but a few seconds later he went back to her and pushed her back to the ground again and seized her by the neck.

Ms Ross-Davie said: "He had hold of her by the neck for approximately three seconds during which time she was prevented from breathing which was to the danger of her life."

The court heard Mrs McGill suffered bruising to her body as well as cuts to her chin area from where the knife had been held.

When police were called McGill said there had been psychological abuse and intimidation of him in the house and on this occasion he had simply snapped, added Ms Ross-Davie.

McGill, of Edinburgh Prison, admitted assaulting Mrs McGill, who was then aged 58, seizing hold of her and pushing her to the ground, pinning her down and holding a knife against her chin and seizing her neck, preventing her from breathing to her injury and the danger of her life.

The offence happened on 10 February this year at the family home at Longstone Gardens, Edinburgh.

Defence agent Andrew Houston described it as a "highly unusual case" and that McGill and his sister had both been victims of difficulties at home.

He said his sister had moved out and McGill was welcome to stay with her.

Sheriff Deidre MacNeill QC deferred sentence on McGill for background reports until next month.

He was released on bail with the condition that he does to approach or attempt to contact his mother.