Chef in hot water over an assault on stranger

A chef at an award-winning Perthshire restaurant landed in the soup when he carried out an unprovoked attack on a complete stranger in the street.

Twenty-nine-year-old David Robertson was arrested after punching the passer-by in the face during what the sheriff described as a “terrifying experience”.

But the accused, said to have a “bad record” which included jail time for housebreaking, was saved from doing further porridge.

Instead, Sheriff Richard MacFarlane imposed a £200 fine - and ordered him to pay £200 compensation - after noting that the victim escaped injury.

His last conviction for assault also dated back to 2012, Perth Sheriff Court was told.

Robertson, who has been staying at The Paddock, Grandtully, across the road from The Inn on the Tay, run by his sister, will pay the penalties at £75 a week.

He admitted the late night attack on Brian Brown in St John’s Place, Perth, on November 28.

Depute fiscal Lisa Marshall said the incident took place about 11pm.

“Mr Brown doesn’t know the accused, had never met him and had never seen him before.”

He was walking alone in St John’s Place when he heard the accused shouting he was “going to hit him”.

Robertson then swung a punch which struck him in the face.

Fortunately no injury was caused and his assailant was quickly apprehended.

A solicitor for the accused said: “He finds difficulty assisting the court in terms of what happened yesterday evening.

“He’s quite shocked having acted in the way he did. He doesn’t remember