A Dundee man who faceplanted in the street while he was carrying a chainsaw will be supervised for three years.
Robert Cartmill, 44, was seen repeatedly trying to start the petrol-driven power tool as he staggered around a street in Dundee city centre.
An off-duty police officer was so concerned by the danger Cartmill posed, he broke off a family trip to report the incident to colleagues at the nearby police HQ.
Sentenced
On Thursday, he was ordered to face his addiction issues head-on as a direct alternative to custody.
Sheriff Paul Brown told Cartmill: “This is a serious matter for obvious reasons – your record, the nature of the offence and potential harm from this behaviour.
“A large part of the seriousness is your own stupidity here.
“I take into account the progress you have been making of late.
“For that reason, I’m persuaded there is an alternative to custody.
“If you breach it, you can fully expect to go to prison.”
The sheriff ordered Cartmill to complete 225 hours of unpaid work and made a three-year supervision order, with a conduct requirement to engage with addiction services and treatment.
His solicitor James Caird said: “Your Lordship is well aware Mr Cartmill has a very long record and long history of drug misuse.
“It’s often been that he would finish a sentence and immediately get into trouble that day when he got out.
“His most recent behaviour has been a complete revelation from that.”
Dundee Sheriff Court was previously told Cartmill smashed his face on the pavement when he fell over while he was carrying the chainsaw.
Accused was bloodstained
Fiscal depute Gavin Burton said: “The sergeant was off-duty when he observed the accused carrying the chainsaw, which had no casing or covering over the blade.
“The accused stopped and tried to start the chainsaw but stumbled forward and struck his face on the pavement.
“He stood back up and continued to attempt to start the chainsaw.
“At one point it did start up but it cut out again after a very short period.
“He was clearly under the influence.
“Other police officers stopped.
“The accused had bloodstaining to his face and cuts to both hands.
“He confirmed he had tried to start the chainsaw but didn’t realise he had done anything wrong.”
‘All sentencing options open’
Cartmill, of Palais Court, admitted breaching the peace by trying to start an unguarded chainsaw in West Marketgait while he was intoxicated on June 5 last year.
At the last hearing, Mr Caird said: “He does have a tremendous record but has actually been doing extremely well.
“He is in employment, which has been unknown in the past.
“He was transporting this and other items from his father’s house to his own house.
“For some reason he was stupid enough to try and start it.”
At that hearing, Sheriff Brown said: “It was a city centre location and I presume it would be busy with other people as it was lunchtime.”
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