A STALKER, who attacked his former solicitor after terrorising her for two years, was yesterday sent to the State Hospital in Carstairs for life.

James Gibson, 38, can be released only with the approval of the Secretary of State for Scotland after the High Court in Edinburgh heard he was considered a danger to the public.

Gibson had become obsessed with Dunoon lawyer Elspeth Black, 36, after she stopped handling his medical negligence case because of a conflict of interest.

His attempts to shadow her, contact her at home, or turn up at her office without an appointment already had landed him in court three times before the final attack in November last year.

Gibson, of the Old Schoolhouse, Toward, Argyll, had just left Dunoon Sheriff Court where he had denied a breach of the peace charge involving Mrs Black.

In spite of a court order forbidding him to approach the lawyer, he tried to talk to her in the court car park.

Gibson then punched her in the face several times, inflicting a broken nose and whiplash injuries to her neck.

Gibson had admitted the attack at an earlier hearing and Lord Coulsfield then sent him to the State Hospital for assessment.

At a brief hearing yesterday, consultant psychiatrist Colin Gray told the judge four doctors now agreed Gibson was suffering from ''paranoid dillusional disorder''.

He was described as dangerous and violent.

Lord Coulsfield made the order committing Gibson to Carstairs without limit of time to protect the public.