Former Islay chef in hot water

A FORMER Islay head chef who stirred up trouble after his employment was terminated appeared at Campbeltown Sheriff Court on an assault charge.

Kevin Ralton, whose address in court was given as Swan Hotel, Staff House, Keswick Road, Grasmere, Ambleside, pleaded guilty to three charges, one of assault, another of damaging a painting valued at £950 and a further charge of behaving in a threatening manner.

At a hearing last week, procurator fiscal depute Laura Mundell told the court that Ralton had been employed, from April this year, by Islay House Hotel in Bridgend.

A number of issues occurred and the management terminated his contract on July 1.

Ralton said to the manager: ‘Make sure you are not alone when I leave.’

Later he went into the manager’s office, there was a scuffle and he stamped on the painting.

Sheriff Patrick Hughes deferred sentence for a month for reports.