A LARKFIELD man charged with targeting the home of a Greenock couple whilst masked and armed with a machete may not stand trial until next year after suffering a serious leg injury, the sheriff court has been told.

John Paul Hilferty is accused of repeatedly striking and smashing windows at the property with a blade during the alleged incident.

Hilferty, 27, is said to have been subject to two bail orders regarding other criminal matters at the time.

Prosecutors say he went to the house in Killearn Road on November 10, 2020.

Hilferty faces a total of eight indictment charges, six of which relate to separate alleged offences, and a jury trial had previously been scheduled for October.

However, defence solicitor Aidan Gallagher told the most recent calling of the case that his client, who was absent from the hearing, sustained a 'very serious leg injury some months ago' and had spent time in intensive care at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.

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Mr Gallagher said: "It was thought the leg was going to have to be amputated but it has been saved.

"He is now at home but the leg is in a cage and will remain in that condition for many months."

After Sheriff Seith Ireland called for an update at a further preliminary hearing on October 3, procurator fiscal depute Maria Murdoch said: "I would be very surprised if he was able to come to court."

Hilferty, of Stafford Road, is also charged with dangerous driving in February 2021 after allegedly mounting a footpath in Port Glasgow, travelling at excessive speed through several streets in the town and failing to stop for police.

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It is further claimed that he breached the terms of a court-ordered bail curfew on three separate occasions in 2021 when he failed to remain within his address between the restricted hours of 7pm and 7am.

Hilferty faces another threatening or abusive behaviour charge of allegedly repeatedly phoning a woman who lived at a flat in Belville Street over a three-day period in April 2021.

He is said to have demanded money from her, uttered threats, attended at the flat and struck the door, shouted, swore and placed a male and female living there in a state of fear or alarm.

The case was continued until next month.