Pensioner tried to kill partner with hammer, court told

A PENSIONER tried to kill his partner after believing she was having an affair, a court has been told.

Alexander Brown, 73, attacked Elizabeth Tainsh with a hammer and tried to smother her with a pillow as she lay in bed.

The terrified 57-year-old’s ordeal at their Ferry Road flat only ended when she managed to break free.

Brown was later found by police sitting in his car on the Forth Road Bridge.

He went on to tell officers: “I’ll be getting a sentence”.

The details emerged as the OAP admitted to an attempted murder charge at the High Court in Glasgow.

He is set to face a lengthy jail-term when he returns to the dock next month.

The court heard the couple had been together nine years.

Retired painter Brown was described as having a “comfortable” life at their home in Ferry Road.

But prosecutor Allan Nicol told how the pensioner attacked Miss Tainsh in the early hours of last July 6.

They had earlier enjoyed dinner together before Miss Tainsh went to bed leaving Brown watching TV.

However, around 1.30am, the mum was suddenly awoken by a blow to her head.

She was then struck again before realising Brown was standing at the bedside.

Mr Nicol told the court: “He picked up a pillow and placed it over her face covering her mouth and nose.

“He then pushed down on the pillow applying a significant amount of pressure.

“This restricted her breathing to the point where she thought she was suffocating.”

Miss Tainsh managed to fight back and push the pillow off, but Brown soon smothered her again.

The woman struggled to break free, but was eventually able to roll away.

Miss Tainsh then spotted her partner was clutching a hammer. She pleaded with Brown to hand it over and he did so.

Mr Nicol said: “She asked why he had assaulted her...he said it was because she had been having an affair.

“She told him that was not the case and his demeanour changed and he appeared confused.”