Coked up window fitter bit off man’s finger during Larbert celebration for singer Craig Eddie

Window fitter Rennie Beswick, 21, had been invited to a gathering in Larbert organized by Craig’s uncle to celebrate his talented nephew’s big win.

Those present had been drinking and watching Celtic and Rangers draw 1-1 in the Scottish Premiership and Beswick had been on cocaine before the problems began.

Appearing at Falkirk Sheriff Court last Thursday, Beswick had pleaded guilty to assaulting a man for his serious injury, permanent disfigurement and permanent disability and at an address in St March 21 last year. District Attorney’s Tax Representative Melissa Phillips said the gathering “should be used to watch the Old Firm derby and celebrate a family member’s success on a television show.”

However, Beswick then got into an argument over football with another guest, who he slurred and used sectarian language as he threatened to kill him. Another guest “stepped in to help” as people tried to calm down Beswick.

The prosecutor’s tax delegate said: “He landed on the ground with the defendant to restrain him. In doing so, the defendant attempted to bite his body and then bit off a section of his right middle finger. “The section from the fingertip to the upper knuckle, including the entire fingernail and piece of bone, has been bitten off completely.”

The police were called to the house and “the severed part of the finger” was placed in the freezer to preserve it. Unfortunately, doctors at nearby Forth Valley Royal Hospital were unable to reattach it as the 53-year-old victim was held overnight for “corrective surgery”. The man’s injury was described as “significant”.

Defense Attorney Solicitor Virgil Crawford said Beswick had no intention of biting off the man’s finger.

He said: “Alcohol was taken – it seems clearly too much – by a lot of the people who were there. Mr Beswick was offered cocaine by one of the elderly people there and he took it. Lighthearted banter seems to have developed into an exchange and then into a physical altercation. Mr Beswick was being held by two gentlemen, he was trying to free himself and the man’s hand landed on his mouth and he accepts that he bit his hand at that point.

“He accepts the consequences of this, but he wasn’t expecting it when he bit the man.”

Sheriff Simon Collins said: “A drunken and drug-fuelled argument spiraled out of control and the consequences for this gentleman were severe and lasting. In many cases, given the appalling injury, a lengthy prison sentence would be required. “I’m satisfied – just barely – there is a reasonable alternative.”

Sheriff Collins has placed Beswick, who now lives in East Kilbride, under a supervised municipal repayment order for two years on condition that he do 300 hours of unpaid work and pay his victim £1000 in compensation.

The court heard no indication that Craig Eddie himself was present at the gathering.