Injuries were result of a fall

POLICE in Shetland have confirmed that the injuries a young Lerwick man sustained in what was initially believed to be a disturbance have turned out to be the result of an accidental fall.

The 23 year old spent almost two days in hospital after having been found in the town’s South Commercial Street in the early hours of 3 December.

At the time the rumour that the man had been stabbed quickly spread across the isles, and beyond, but that was not confirmed when police eventually made a first statement on the case, 40 hours after the incident.

This morning (Thursday), police said they now believed that the injuries were the result of an accident.

A statement said: “Police can confirm that following extensive inquiries into an alleged disturbance in South Commercial Street, Lerwick on the morning of Saturday 3 December 2011 that a 23-year-old man sustained accidental injuries which are believed to be as a result of a fall.

“Police would like to reassure the community in Lerwick that despite media coverage to the contrary this man did not suffer a stab wound.”