Man who held woman hostage for 21 hours jailed

Leslie Jackson was jailed at the High Court in Glasgow

A man who attacked and threatened to kill a woman while holding her hostage in her own home for 21 hours has been jailed.

Leslie Jackson, 38, left the woman with more than 50 injuries following the ordeal in Aberdeen in June 2022.

She escaped through a ground-floor window when Jackson went to check a noise at the front door.

Lord Arthurson told Jackson his behaviour was "sustained, vicious and sadistic" as he gave him an eight-year sentence at the High Court in Glasgow.

This story contains details which some readers may find distressing.

Jackson - who had 37 previous convictions - admitted assaulting the woman to her severe injury, permanent disfigurement and to the danger of life.

A court heard how he forced his way into her home at about 19:30 on 30 July 2022.

He punched her, knocking her unconscious, and when she came to, he held a knife to her throat and choked her.

The ordeal continued throughout the night until about 15:45 the following day.

Prosecutor Martin Crawford said: "He told her she would leave in a body bag and that he would gut her like a fish."

It was then he made the remark about a massacre, the court heard.

'Unspeakable actions'

CCTV captured the woman running onto the street, partially dressed with a makeshift tourniquet around her leg.

The court heard she had 54 separate injuries including a stab wound, heavy bruising as well as cracked and loose teeth.

Defending, Lili Prais said: "He has pretty limited recollection of events."

A pre-sentencing report described him as "embarrassed and disgusted".

Lord Arthurson told Jackson the jail term would have been 10 years, but for his guilty plea. Jackson will be supervised for a further four years on his release.

After the case, Det Insp Andrew Machray of Police Scotland said: “This was a horrendous ordeal that left Jackson’s victim with life-threatening injuries.

"I hope this sentencing brings her some kind of closure.

“Jackson will now face the consequences of his unspeakable actions. Violence in our communities is not acceptable in any form."

Moira Orr, who leads on homicide and major crime for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), added: "The violent offending committed by Jackson is horrific and abhorrent."