Couple fined after naked rampage
Staff fled from couple after they ‘reacted badly’ to too much alcohol
Two pensioners we refined after rampaging through a resort hotel, forcing staff to flee in terror, a court heard.
Robert Fergus, 72, a retired chartered surveyor, ran naked through the reception area of the Macdonald Loch Rannoch Hotel in Perthshire, brandishing a pair of scissors. His wife, Ruth, 69, threatened to shoot staff after “reacting badly” to alcohol she had drunk earlier.
Two “out of control” pensioners rampaged through a resort hotel,forcingstafftofleeinterror, a court heard.
Robert Fergus, 72, a retired chartered surveyor, ran naked through the reception area of the Macdonald Loch Rannoch Hotel in Perthshire, brandishing a pair of scissors.
His wife, Ruth, 69, was wearing a nightdress when she threatened to shoot staff after “reacting badly” to alcohol she had consumed earlier.
Perth Sheriff Court was told that Mr Fergus, a school charity fundraiser and rugby club committeemember,pickedup a restaurant sign and used it to smash a window during the bizarre incident which took place on 4 February.
He also use the scissors to try to cut communication cables in the hotel reception and was eventally found drunk behind the wheel of his £65,000 BMW.
The couple were fined £4,1000 and Mr Fergus, from Troon, was ordered to pay £800 compensation to cover the cost of the damage.
Mr Fergus admitted behaving in a threatening and abusive manner towards four staff members, wilfully destroying property and drink driving.
Mrs Fergus admitted causing fear or alarm at the hotel by threatening guests and staff with violence.
Fiscal depute Michael Sweeney told the court a guest was woken by banging on his door at 1:45am and saw Mrs Fergus, who became abusive, in the hallway.
After the guest informed reception, Mr Fergus appeared with no clothes on and began shouting abuse at staff and guests in the foyer.
Mr Sweeney said: “Both accused were acting as if they were out of control. He was observed to have a pair of scissors. Mrs Fergus said: ‘I’m going to get a gun and shoot you,’ at Miss Titkova.
“On seeing the scissors, Miss Titkova shouted at the other staff and guests to run. They saw Mr Fergus pick up a sign and smash a glass pane in the door with it.”
Fergus then stormed through the foyer telling witnesses he would “slit” and “kill” them. Staff and guests ran from the hotel towards the village of Kinloch Rannoch.
Almost two hours after the start of the incident, the couple were pulled over by police on the B846 near Tummel Bridge, where Mr Fergus was found to be well over the legal limit of alcohol for driving.
Ewan Cameron, representing Mr Fergus, said: “He is a 72-year-old man with no previous convictions and this appears hugely uncharacteristic on his part.
“He consumed much more alcohol than was sensible. He retired to bed but was roused by his wife who said she had been on the receiving end of hostility from hotel staff. He reacted disproportionately.”
Mr Cameron said his client had suffered a heart attack in 2007 and would not be able to exert himself for unpaid community work – but he conceded that he had “exerted himself” on the night of the incident.
Sheriff Gillian Wade said: “I have no doubt you will regret it for the rest of your life.