A man who was acquitted of attempting to murder two women on the same day has been released from custody.

Gerald Stark, 47, was given bail by judge Alison Stirling after a hearing on Wednesday at the High Court in Edinburgh.

He stood trial earlier this year at the High Court in Glasgow where jurors heard how he attacked his 47-year-old partner Sharon Gillan at a property in Geddes Hill, East Kilbride on October 30 2021.

READ NEXT: Glasgow rapist dubbed 'Beast of Ibrox' dies in prison

The court heard that Stark then left the property and assaulted 69-year-old Ann Ewing by wrapping a ligature around her neck and knocking her unconscious.

He then claimed to onlookers who rushed to her aid that she had been in a road collision and was badly hurt.

Stark was acquitted after the jury heard medical evidence which stated he was experiencing a psychotic episode at the time of the attacks and should be acquitted. Judge Stirling remanded him in custody following the acquittal and called for psychiatric reports to help her decide what kind of sentence should be imposed on him.

On Tuesday, defence solicitor advocate Marco Guarino told judge Stirling that psychiatrists believed that Stark wasn’t suffering from a mental disorder at this point in time.

READ NEXT: Prisoner dies at HMP Barlinnie in Glasgow

He said that Stark shouldn’t be forced to stay at a medical facility like the State Hospital in Carstairs for psychiatric treatment.

Mr Guarino said that the law stated his client should be released from custody.

He said: “To not would be to arbitrarily detain him. The conditions to impose an interim compulsion order are not met.

“There is no active mental disorder. We now have an authoritative opinion from the State Hospital which states that.

“He should no longer be detained in custody.”

Judge Stirling agreed but called for more reports to be prepared by psychiatrists on Stark’s mental health. The judge will decide Stark’s ultimate disposal at a hearing next month.

During Stark’s trial, prosecutors argued he was criminally responsible for the attacks.

In his closing speech to jurors, prosecutor Wojciech Jajdelski (CORR) said the two women found themselves in the “incredible position” of being “grievously assaulted out of the blue”.

The court heard, before the attack on her, Ms Gillan and Stark had been chatting about a hoover being in a cupboard.

The indictment stated Stark he put his arm around her neck, attempted to slit her throat with a knife before stabbing her with the blade.

After leaving his partner for dead, he encountered the 69-year-old woman in the town’s Calderwood Road while she was out walking her two Romanian rescue dogs around 15 minutes later.

After a brief chat about the pets, Stark then suddenly turned on the innocent pensioner.

He still had hold of the woman as one concerned passer-by quizzed him on what had happened.

Jurors heard Stark claimed the OAP had been the victim of a “hit and run”.

He then went on to point to a man further up the street as being “responsible”.

Stark was also heard seemingly talking to God while remarking: “You won that one, mate.”

Forensic psychiatrist Dr Laura Steven was one medic who compiled a number of reports on Stark.

One of her meetings with him was shortly after the attacks.

Dr Steven noted him as stating: “He was in shock and struggling to piece it together.”

Stark was also said to have spoken about “bizarre dreams”, “good and bad angels” and feeling like he had been “in a movie, acting out scenes”.

It was stated he had been suffering from severe sleep issues and withdrawal from drugs.

Prosecutor Mr Jajdelski claimed Stark had been playing “Russian Roulette” with his mental health.

Mr Guarino said he accepted carrying out “terrible acts of violence on two innocent women”.

But, the solicitor advocate insisted Stark had a mental disorder that day and did not appreciate the wrongfulness of what he did.

On Tuesday, Mr Guarino urged judge Stirling to release Stark from custody and allow him to stay at his mother’s house in East Kilbride.

Judge Stirling agreed. But she told Mr Guarino that the court needed to have more psychiatric reports on the current state of Stark’s mental health.

The judge also allowed Stark - who observed proceedings via video link - to stay at his mother’s house in East Kilbride.

However, he can only leave the property on matters relating to the case - such as visiting psychiatrists and his legal team.

Judge Stirling added: “I will admit him to bail.”

The case will call next month at the High Court in Edinburgh.