A judge has threatened an ex-footballer with jail if she continues to inconvenience the public with a third suicide attempt.
Former Dunfermline Athletic player Kimberley Macfarlane has a rare illness and has twice threatened tried to take her life by jumping from a motorway bridge.
Yesterday the 23-year-old woman appeared in court charged with disorderly conduct and breach of the peace.
The court heard how on both occasions traffic was brought to a standstill as the young woman threatened to jump from the motorway bridge near Fife, Scotland.
Former Dunfermline Athletic player Kimberley Macfarlane has a rare illness and has twice threatened tried to take her life by jumping from a motorway bridge
The court heard that she threatened to jump from the motorway bridge two days in succession – on January 14 and 15.
Sheriff Craig McSherry warned Macfarlane if she continued to pose a risk of further offending, a custodial sentence may be necessary, the Daily Record reported.
He told her: ‘A custodial sentence would at least mean the public are not being inconvenienced in this way.’
The court heard how the young footballer’s life went into a tailspin after she broke her nose during a match in 2015 and developed Fowler’s Syndrome.
The condition, which affects one woman in a million, leaves them unable to urinate.
The court heard that Macfarlane threatened to jump from the motorway bridge two days in succession – on January 14 and 15
Since then, Macfarlane has had to fight extreme pain and mental health issues as a result.
On a previous occasion, she jumped from a motorway bridge, suffering a serious back injury.
Jane Rennie, prosecuting, said that Macfarlane was a patient in Dunfermline’s Queen Margaret Hospital at the time of the offences.
On January 14, she was given a pass to go out and she was due to be discharged the following day.
Police were contacted by hospital staff at 12.40pm on Sunday after they received information that she was going to jump off a motorway flyover.
‘A number of roads in the area were closed and a road block was imposed on the M90. She was found sitting at the side of the bridge making threats to jump,’ said Ms Rennie.
‘After some time she agreed to remove herself and was taken back to hospital.’
At 10am the next day, hospital staff again contacted police to say she had left. At 10.40am she was spotted by a witness back at the bridge and road closures were again put in place.
Russel McPhate, defending, said complications of Macfarlane’s broken nose led to further health problems.
Bladder Health UK has hit out at the judge for his ‘insensitive comments’ surrounding Miss Macfarlane’s condition.
Susannah Fraser, on behalf of the charity, said Macfarlane needed counselling and treatment, not threats of jail time.
She said: ‘It’s extremely sad that the impact this condition has had on her has not been properly understood.
‘Fowler’s Syndrome is a thoroughly unpleasant condition. It can lead to anxiety and depression and can create a miserable way of life.
‘Sufferers of chronic bladder illnesses have a much higher than average rate of suicide because it’s so painful and debilitating.
Cole-Hamilton said: ‘The system has let this poor young lady down.
‘The fact that it’s even considered that prison is used as a solution to a mental health crisis is a national outrage.’
- Samaritans (116 123) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org