By Staff Reporter

Last updated at 11:46, Wednesday, 10 March 2010

A Carlisle teenager was arrested for carrying a knife after cutting his wrists at a medical centre.

A witness said Martyn Corrie, 19, was “pouring with blood” when he arrived at Cuedoc on Hilltop Heights, Carlisle, on Monday, February 15.

He had already started slashing his wrists as he walked to the clinic from his home on nearby Baird Road in Harraby.

Corrie pleaded guilty to carrying a knife in a public place at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court.

Adrienne Harris, prosecuting, said: “He told staff at the clinic ‘get someone to show me where the artery is – I want to kill myself’. They didn’t feel threatened by his actions.

“They didn’t feel like they [his words] were directed towards themselves, more like Mr Corrie needed help.”

She said Corrie had taken the knife from a drawer in his kitchen after arguing with his dad and girlfriend. On arriving at the clinic, he used it on his wrists as he spoke to staff member Mary Smith, who eventually persuaded him to hand it over.

John Smith, defending, said: “In a witness statement, she said ‘I didn’t feel alarmed, I felt calm as I was speaking to him’.

“She wasn’t distressed or threatened in any way.”

Corrie received medical treatment before he was arrested. He told police he didn’t realise carrying the knife was an offence.

Corrie was released on unconditional bail by magistrates until March 30 for a pre-sentence report to be prepared.

First published at 11:26, Wednesday, 10 March 2010
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk