US man ‘off his head on drink’ assaulted two people in hotel
A US businessman who was ‘off his head’ on drink endangered staff and guests at a hotel by throwing a fire extinguisher five floors to the lobby, a court has heard.
Albert Santiago, 54, of Chicago, Illinois, was staying at the Clayton Hotel in Lapps Quay, Cork, on the August 12, 2018, when he went on his rampage. He damaged fire extinguishers, chairs, a wooden table, art work including a golden sphere, and a glass panel. He also assaulted two people at the hotel.
He pleaded guilty to 16 counts which included damaging the revolving front door of the hotel, damaging fire stations and walls and damaging the door to his room, and throwing a fire extinguisher from the fifth floor down to the lobby.
Cork Circuit Criminal Court heard that Mr Santiago had been employed with a pharmaceutical company for 31 years and regularly travelled to Ireland for business. He was known and respected at the hotel. He was also charged with being threatening and abusive, two counts of assault and a charge of endangering others. Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin heard that €16,000 in damage was caused to the hotel. Mr Santiago has raised this amount in compensation.
His defence counsel, Ray Boland, said that the behaviour was completely out of character and that he had lost his job on foot of the incident. He said that there was no suggestion of recreational drug use. Mr Santiago was however on prescription medication at the time.
Mr Boland said his client went ‘completely off his head’ having arrived on a flight from the US.
The barrister said that Mr Santiago had drunk whiskey in his room before going out for a few drinks.
He recalled being assaulted in the city and hotel staff said he arrived on-site injured and bleeding. Mr Boland said his client was ‘in such a condition of rage’ that he began calling people the devil.
He was shocked when the CCTV footage was shown to him and expressed deep regret and remorse. Sentencing was adjourned to November 1.
Began calling people ‘the devil’