A man accused of attempted murder told police he was “just defending himself”, a trial has heard.
Anthony Higgins was traced by police at his partner’s cousin’s house following an alleged incident at the NCP car park on Shiprow on September 12 2017.
And the 34-year-old, in reply to being cautioned by police, gave officers a “lengthy” statement.
Higgins faces a number of charges including assaulting Darren Beattie, known as Carr, repeatedly striking him on the body with a knife to his severe injury, permanent disfigurement and danger of life and attempting to murder him.
He is also charged with having a knife in public and assaulting Kieran Reid, Mr Carr’s best friend, by punching him on the head.
Advocate depute Eric Robertson asked witness PC Jesse Rodgers about Higgins’ reply to caution.
He said Higgins told him he had been “blocked in” at the car park and “attacked” and was “just defending himself”.
Reading the reply from his notebook, PC Rodgers said: “I came out of court. I asked to be escorted but they sent me out the back.
“I went into the car park. They blocked me in and attacked me.”
He added: “I just defended myself.”
Defence counsel Matt Jackson said: “At the time your colleague detained Anthony Higgins, Anthony Higgins was told ‘you don’t have to say anything’.”
PC Rodgers confirmed this was correct and Mr Jackson said: “But right there, right then he told you what had happened that day. Is that right?”
He replied: “Yes.”
Shanna Angus, whose home police found Higgins in, also gave evidence.
Mr Robertson asked her how Higgins seemed when the police car pulled up outside her address.
She replied: “A bit anxious.”
Paramedic James McAulay also gave evidence and said to Mr Robertson he had been told a “kitchen knife” was used in the incident.
Mr Jackson asked him if he had told the police that when he asked the victim and witnesses about the size of the knife, he got answers varying from six to 15 inches. He agreed that he had.
Consultant cardiothoracic surgeon Keith Buchan also gave evidence about Mr Carr’s injuries, including a punctured lung, and treatment.
Mr Robertson asked: “If there had been no intervention whatsoever, what would have been the outcome?”
Mr Buchan replied: “It potentially would have been a life-threatening situation.”
Higgins, of Worsley Crescent, Liverpool, denies all charges and has lodged special defences of self-defence and incrimination.
He had also been charged with calling Mr Carr’s partner at the time a “grass” earlier in the day, and with attempting to pervert the course of justice by disposing of a knife and jacket.
However, yesterday at the conclusion of the Crown case, those two charges were withdrawn and Higgins was formally acquitted.
The trial at the High Court in Aberdeen, before Lord Uist and a jury of eight women and seven men, continues.
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