Crossbow attacker who chased and shot victim with bolt jailed for attempted murder

A man who chased his victim and shot him with a crossbow in an Aberdeen park has been jailed for 10 years for the attempted murder.

Alan Bruce, 53, grabbed the weapon and hunted Richard Murison after the victim knocked on his door in the middle of the night. Bruce caught up with Mr Murison at Eric Hendrie Park and shot him with a crossbow bolt, leaving him severely injured, and then left the scene without checking whether he needed an ambulance.

Mr Murison needed surgery for a punctured gall bladder and spent four days in hospital following the attack on 11 November 2023. Bruce was found guilty of attempted murder following a trial at the High Court in Aberdeen in July.

He was additionally convicted of the illegal possession of a firearm, namely a stun gun disguised as a torch. Bruce was sentenced by Lord Renucci at the High Court in Glasgow on Thursday.

The judge stated: "You decided to leave your house armed with a loaded crossbow, chased after your victim and deliberately shot him with that crossbow. "It's more by luck than judgment that you are not being sentenced today for murder rather than attempted murder.

"After that you simply turned round and went back to your house, leaving your victim. "Even though you were unsure of his injuries you did not call an ambulance." Read more from Sky News:Tinder rape victim arrested during her hunt for fugitive attackerMAGA icon killed as hunt for shooter continues Bruce committed the attempted murder while on bail.

Lord Renucci added: "The writer of the criminal justice social work [report] says you have now expressed some remorse and that is at least something." Defence advocate John Brannigan said his client has a long-standing issue with drugs which has blighted his life. Lord Renucci warned Bruce: "It's clear that drugs played a part in this offence and unless you address your drug problems it's not likely this will be the last sentence you receive.".