Emergency services' lives put at risk

Jul 30 2010 by Alison Lowson, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

LIVES were put in danger after a 26-year-old man jumped into the River Tay from the viewing platform at Perth’s Tay Street.

Perth Sheriff Court was told on Wednesday that police, their rescue launch, as well as fire and ambulance crews were alerted by alarmed by-standers after David Armatys plunged into the water.

But he struggled violently with his rescuers before they eventually managed to pull him to the safety of the river bank.

Depute fiscal Lucy Keane said that the drama unfolded about 8pm on June 30 when the accused turned up at the viewing platform which juts out into the river.

Two members of the public were there and he handed them his mobile phone and sunglasses before jumping, fully clothed, over the handrail and into the river below.

“Believing he was in danger, the members of the public contacted the police,” she added.

Firefighters went into the river and managed to get him to a rock. They held him there until police came to their assistance but he continued to resist and also struggled with them.

He was eventually helped to safety and was rushed to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee for a check-up.

He did not require treatment and hospital staff were of the opinion that he had no mental health issues.

“It appeared to have been a spontaneous action,” added the depute fiscal.

Armatys, of Dunkeld Road, admitted committing a breach of the peace by jumping into the river.

He also pled guilty to lashing out at members of the public and emergency services who were attempting to assist him from the water, placing them in danger of injury or death.

Solicitor Billy Somerville said that the accused appreciated the seriousness of the river incident.

“He wasn’t intending any harm to himself,” added the lawyer. “The perception of members of the public and the emergency services was clearly different – and understandable.”

Ordering the accused to perform 180 hours of community service, Sheriff Michael Fletcher told the accused: “Not only did you put yourself at risk but a whole series of other people were placed at risk as well as a result of your actions.

“A custodial sentence was highly possible.”

Armatys was also fined £250 after he was found sleeping in the stairwell of a close in Kirkgate, Perth, on April 26, before shouting, swearing and struggling with police when asked to leave.

Mr Somerville said the incident arose after he had taken too much to drink because of an ongoing volatile relationship with his girlfriend.