Accused of stalking campaigns
Tycoon is alleged victim
A sheriff is to examine allegations that a Stirling businessman and other members and officials of one of Scotland’s most exclusive golf clubs were stalked and threatened by a former member.
John Sullivan, a Lanarkshire businessman, is said to have behaved in a threatening and abusive manner at the Glenearn Golf Club, based at the Gleneagles Hotel in Perthshire
His alleged victims include tanning salon tycoon Frank Taylor, whose Stirling-based Indigo Sun chain operates nearly 70 salons north and south of the Border with a total turnover of more than £14 million a year, and Mr Taylor’s sons Ewan and Neal, also directors or ex-directors of the family business, and Colin MacMorran, managing director of a Falkirk-based industrial supplies company.
Mr MacMorran, 54, is a former vice-captain of the Glenearn Golf Club.
Sullivan, 59, faced six charges of stalking, one of extortion, and one of threatening behaviour, which he denied, but has been found unfit to stand trial due to brain damage sustained when he was the victim of an “unrelated” criminal assault.
He failed to appear at an examination of facts hearing scheduled to take place at Falkirk Sheriff Court on Wednesday .
Five witnesses attended to give evidence, but the hearing was adjourned after Sullivan’s solicitor, Becky Houston, withdrew from acting.
Miss Houston told the court she had intended to argue that any behaviour found to have been committed by Sullivan was “excused by his failure to appreciate the wrongfulness of his actions” as a result of his brain damage.
She said his failure to appear at the examination of facts hearing was due to him suffering “considerable pain and distress” and she considered he was also unfit to instruct her.
Sullivan, of Strathaven, Lanarkshire, is said to have carried out a series of criminal acts in Auchterarder, Stirling, and Falkirk, connected to the Glenearn Club, between June 2011 and February 2017. He said to have brandished a golf club at Trevor Taylor – who went on to be elected club captain – and shouted and swore at him, and stalked Mr Taylor by repeatedly phoning, texting and emailing him, threatening him and his family with violence, threatening to damage his property, making contact with his friends and family, and causing others to make threats of violence towards him.
He is alleged to have conducted similar campaigns of stalking placing Frank, Ewan and Neal Taylor in fear and alarm.
He is further alleged to have attempted extortion from the Taylors, threatening that unless they paid him “various sums of money” he would assault them and members of their family – putting them in apprehension of violence being perpetrated against them and their family members and their property.
Between March 1, 2015, and February 4, 2017, he is also alleged to have stalked Charles Boyd Masterton, director of the Falkirk and District Association for Mental Health, by telephoning, texting and emailing him, threatening him with violence, and threatening to damage his property.
Sheriff John Mundy adjourned the examination of facts to a sitting commencing on June 10.
Sullivan was ordered to appear in person at a procedural hearing next Tuesday, when the court may appoint a fresh solicitor for him.
Glenearn Golf Club, where fees total over £3200 a year, plays across all three courses at The Gleneagles Hotel, including the famous King’s Course.