Attacker sliced off finger with ‘lopper’

Part of a man’s finger was sliced off and flushed down a toilet during a merciless assault with a hand-made “lopper”.

James Grieve, 35, was attacked in his home in Glenrothes, Fife, after rolling up in a ball on the floor to protect himself, the High Court in Edinburgh heard.

Stephen Gilmartin, 40, of Gate­side, Fife, inflicted multiple wounds to the head, body and limbs, some of which exposed the skull and shin bone. He was jailed for four years yesterday.

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The advocate-depute, Pino Di Emidio, said the weapon used by Gilmartin had been a 4ft pole with a blade attached to the end with tape.

He added: “It is described as an old-fashioned ‘lopper’ by
witnesses.” Loppers were tools used to prune small trees.

Gilmartin admitted assaulting Mr Grieve to his severe injury, permanent disfigurement and permanent impairment on 12 April. Lord Turnbull took into account his lack of previous serious offending and his remorse.