Public in fear as man tried to start up chainsaw on city centre street

A Dundee man has admitted causing fear or alarm by falling flat on his face in the street while he was carrying a chainsaw.

Robert Cartmill, 44, was seen repeatedly trying to start the petrol-driven chainsaw 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 nearby police HQ.

Dundee Sheriff Court was told Cartmill smashed his face on the pavement when he fell over while he was carrying the power tool.

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.”

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.

Solicitor Jim Caird, defending, 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.”

Sheriff Paul Brown deferred sentence for reports and told Cartmill that “all options” would remain open to him.

Robert Cartmill.