Man hurt himself to 'avoid work'

The court heard Steven Reid was a first offender

An Aberdeen hotel cleaner who attacked himself with a boulder and a razor to avoid going to work has been fined £100 for wasting police time.

Steven Reid, 23, claimed he had been assaulted, but later admitted faking the attack because he wanted a day off, the city's sheriff court heard.

Sheriff Graeme Buchanan said it was a "pretty bizarre act".

Reid, who is now unemployed, later said that he should have asked his work for a day off instead.

Fiscal depute Jim Craigen said: "He was making his way to work and didn't really much fancy going.

Looking back, I should have just phoned work and asked them for the day off Steven Reid

"He therefore removed a razor from his pocket and repeatedly dragged it down his face.

"He also picked up a boulder and struck it off his head and repeatedly hit himself on the head and body."

Mr Craigen added: "He went to the police station and said he had been assaulted by two male persons who repeatedly punched and kicked him."

Defence solicitor Keidra Morrison said the first offender had been under stress.

After the case, Reid said: "I had a lot of family issues at the time and things just got on top of me.

"It was a stupid thing to do.

"Looking back, I should have just phoned work and asked them for the day off."

Reid said he later lost his job but was hopeful he would get back to work again soon.