Man jailed after rampage in rented Perthshire property

During wrecking spree, accused punched holes in walls and attacked police officer with drawer

A falconer who caused £10,000 worth of damage by trashing and flooding his rental property has been locked up after failing to turn up at court for sentencing.

Christopher Hirst punched holes in the walls and left them smeared with his blood during a wrecking spree.

Hirst, who smashed up several rooms in the rented apartment, was remanded in custody yesterday after failing to appear for sentence last week.

The 29-year-old had his hand bandaged and plastered when he first appeared from custody to admit the charge at Perth Sheriff Court.

He admitted attacking PC Jason Greenhow by hurling a drawer at him and causing a glass pane to fall and strike the officer on September 1.

The bird of prey expert also admitted culpably and recklessly destroying property at 3 Ruthvenvale Terrace in Auchterarder, Perthshire.

He admitted smashing windows and damaging a sofa, the dining table, and a coffee table and chairs as he rampaged through the living room.

Hirst damaged numerous kitchen units, smashed the door of the cooker and did the same to the washing machine before turning the kitchen taps on to flood the property.

In the bathroom, he smashed up the shower screen, before damaging a toilet and smashing a mirror. Hirst attacked and damaged the bed, a bedside cabinet, a wardrobe and a chest of drawers.

The court heard that the incident culminated with Hirst smashing a number of holes in the internal walls of the property and leaving them covered in blood as a result.

Solicitor Billy Somerville, defending, said: “He was working as a falconer and this was a property he rented. The initial estimate for the damage is around £10,000.

“Obviously it will take a considerable amount of time to prepare a full valuation. I’m fairly sure he won’t be allowed back. There’s no need for him to go back.”

It is understood that Hirst may require surgery on his hand injury and it was heavily strapped when he appeared in the dock.

Mr Somerville said Hirst would return to his parental address in Dronfield, Derbyshire, but he expected to keep his job because he was employed by a family falconry business.

Sentence was deferred yesterday for Hirst to complete social work reports and he was remanded in custody until October 31.

The initial estimate for the damage is around £10,000. Obviously it will take a considerable amount of time to prepare a full valuation. I’m fairly sure he won’t be allowed back