Perth man asked to be stabbed

A knifeman who caused his friend life threatening injuries has been allowed to walk free from court because his victim wanted to be stabbed.

Liam Beauchope leapt onto the carving knife after telling his friends he wanted someone to stab him and cause him injuries.

Kale Summers was holding the knife as Mr Beauchamp plunged himself onto it and he admitted culpably and recklessly injuring his friend.

Sheriff William Wood ordered Summers, 37, to pay his victim 1,000 pounds compensation and to carry out 300 hours unpaid work in the community.

He said: "It is a very sad and unfortunate incident in many respects, but clearly he was culpable and reckless.

"It is fair to say the complainer had a part to play in the circumstances that brought about the offence. I take into account Mr Beauchope's own involvement and encouragement to you to act in the way you did.

"The injury was caused in no small part by his encouragement that you should harm him with a knife. I do believe your remorse is genuine. You were under a duty of care not to harm him in a way that led to significant injury."

Liam Beauchope needed emergency surgery to save his life after severing an artery by sticking his leg out into the path of a carving knife being held by his friend.

Perth Sheriff Court was told that Mr Beauchope was a fan of "self-harming" and had asked a woman to cut him after a night out to celebrate his birthday.

When she refused, Summers had jokingly picked up a carving knife and plunged it towards the couch Mr Beauchope was sitting on - only for the "victim" to move into its way at the last moment.

Summers, of Perth, admitted striking Mr Beauchope with the knife, endangering his life, severely injuring him and leaving him scarred for life, at his flat on 7 August last year.

Fiscal depute John Malpass told the court the bizarre background to the case and said: "It is an unusual set of circumstances.

"The complainer has a history of self-harming with knives and asking people to cut him. They went out for the evening to celebrate their birthdays.

"They returned home in order to continue drinking together. It was noted they were in good spirits, laughing and joking.

"The complainer asked Summers' partner Maria Goodison if she would do him a favour. He wanted her to cut him.

"When she refused he asked her again. The accused said he would do it. He lifted a knife and as a joke attempted to swipe the sofa near where the complainer was seated.

"As he did so the complainer moved his leg in the direction of the blade, resulting in the knife striking his leg and causing injuries.

"The complainer was firmly of the view the accused would not have tried to injure him. The accused immediately called emergency services.

"The accused applied pressure to the wound until the emergency services arrived. The medical opinion was that the injury had the potential to be life threatening."

Mr Malpass told the court Mr Beauchope's femural artery had been cut through and the knife had penetrated the skin, muscle, artery and vein.

"He suffered a serious injury which threatened his life. As a result of blood loss he required abdominal surgery. Had medical treatment not be obtained immediately he could have died.