By Paul Reoch

A PERTHSHIRE man who tried to sever a finger in a drunken argument with his partner was yesterday admonished at Perth Sheriff Court.

Christopher Andrew Walls (46), c/o Market Street, Aberfeldy, admitted that on June 15 at Main Street, Invergowrie, he conducted himself in a disorderly manner by shouting, swearing, attempting to sever his finger by striking it with a knife to the alarm of the lieges, and committed a breach of the peace.

He also admitted resisting, obstructing, molesting and hindering two PCsby refusing to walk with them and lying down on the floor to resist arrest.

Depute Fiscal Therese Oswald told the court that Walls had been in a relationship with a man for four years. At 8pm on the day in question, an argument began between the two.

“The accused had been drinking and then left the house when the argument started,” Mrs Oswald said. “He went to a pub where he continued to drink.”

The court heard that Walls returned to the house in Invergowrie at 9pm and the argument resurfaced.

“Walls went into the kitchen at 11.15pm and took a knife, and then returned to the living-room,” she said. “His partner was concerned when the accused told him that he would harm himself.

“He placed his left forefinger on the coffee table and threatened to cut it off. He then placed it on a chopping-board, raised the knife and brought it down on his finger.”

The court heard how Walls’s partner phoned the police who advised him to go to hospital to have his finger examined.

Mrs Oswald said that Walls had been calm up to this point but “immediately became aggressive” when the officers arrived.

Eventually he entered the police car and was then taken to the A & E department of Perth Royal Infirmary. Walls was released but told to come back at a later date for an operation on his finger.

He returned on June 17 where he was treated for a “deep” laceration to the second knuckle of his left fore-finger. Staff also treated him for tendon damage.

Rosie Scott, solicitor for Walls, said that alcohol played a part in the incident, but that other factors should also be considered.

“My client had lost his business and was also having difficulties in his relationship,” said Mrs Scott. “He (Walls) spent the weekend in the police cells and is embarrassed at his behaviour. It was an isolated incident.”

Sheriff Robert McCreadie told Walls, “This is a bizarre incident for a man of your age. I can quite understand the embarrassment you felt, doing this damage to yourself.

“I hope you learnt a lesson here to control your behaviour.”

Walls was admonished.