COURAGEOUS healthcare staff sprung into action as they prevented a vulnerable patient from stabbing himself at a Clacks GP office.

George Guild was in a state of entrenched distress when he attended Clackmannanshire Community Healthcare Centre on September 15 last year.

Staff had to subdue him when it appeared he might cause himself serious harm, Alloa Sheriff Court heard.

The 65-year-old had been seeking help regarding a “significant alcohol issue” after receiving a phone call to say that he had missed an appointment late that morning.

However, when told that he would not be able to see a medical professional that day, Guild pulled a five-inch knife and began crying in front of terrified employees.

Staff and patients, who were increasingly worried about their own safety, repeatedly asked him to put the weapon down.

He refused to do so on several occasions and the seriousness of the situation deepened when the fragile Guild threatened to harm himself with the blade.

Valiant health centre staff then intervened and were able to secure the Alloa man in a room with the knife as police rushed to the scene.

When they arrived, they saw the accused had both wrists restrained by members of staff while the knife was “gripped tightly in his right hand” and the blade “pointed at his own abdomen”.

Guild, of Kingswell Park, repeatedly begged to speak with a mental health professional, before he was disarmed and arrested by officers.
Sheriff Reekie deferred sentence on the matter for a criminal justice social work report to be prepared.

The case will recall again at Alloa Sheriff Court on March 29.