A MAN stabbed his partner in the neck before choking a stranger in the street as she walked her dogs.

Gerald Stark attacked Sharon Gillan, 47, at a property in Geddes Hill, East Kilbride on October 30, 2021.

Stark, also 47, then fled before pouncing on 69-year-old Ann Ewing a short time later - wrapping a ligature around her neck and knocking her unconscious.

He went on to claim to witnesses who rushed to her aid that she had been the victim of a road collision.

Stark stood trial at the High Court in Glasgow charged with attempting to murder both women.

His lawyers - backed by medical evidence - stated he was suffering from a psychotic episode at the time and should be acquitted.

But prosecutors argued he was criminally responsible.

Jurors on Tuesday found him not guilty having accepted he was affected by a mental disorder that day.

In his speech to jurors, advocate depute Wojciech Jajdelski said the two women found themselves in the "incredible position" of being "grievously assaulted out of the blue".

The court heard, before the attack on her, Miss Gillan and Stark had been chatting about a hoover being in a cupboard.

The indictment stated Stark put his arm around Miss Gillan's neck, and attempted to slit her throat with a knife before stabbing her with the blade.

After leaving his partner for dead, he encountered Miss Ewing in the town's Calderwood Road while she was out walking her two Romanian rescue dogs around 15 minutes later.

After a brief chat about the pets, Stark then suddenly turned on the innocent pensioner.

He still had hold of the woman as one concerned passer-by quizzed him on what had happened.

Jurors heard Stark claimed the OAP had been the victim of a "hit and run".

He then went on to point to a man further up the street as being "responsible".

Stark was also heard seemingly talking to God while remarking: "You won that one, mate."

The trial largely hinged on medical evidence and whether jurors accepted Stark was mentally ill at the time.

Forensic psychiatrist Dr Laura Steven was one medic who compiled a number of reports on Stark.

One of her meetings with him was shortly after the attacks.

Dr Steven noted him as stating: "He was in shock and struggling to piece it together."

Stark was also said to have spoken about "bizarre dreams", "good and bad angels" and feeling like he had been "in a movie, acting out scenes".

It was stated he had been suffering from severe sleep issues and withdrawal from drugs.

Prosecutor Mr Jajdelski claimed Stark had been playing Russian Roulette with his mental health.

Stark's lawyer Marco Guarino said he accepted carrying out "terrible acts of violence on two innocent women".

But the solicitor advocate insisted Stark had a mental disorder that day and did not appreciate the wrongfulness of what he did.

Stark had been on remand in prison having been held shortly after the attacks.

Judge Alison Stirling ordered him to remain in prison meantime.

She called for a social work report and further psychiatric information on how best to deal with Stark when he returns to the dock on July 12 in Edinburgh.