Chandelier swinger who risked death 60ft up is ordered to pay £8,000
A HOTEL guest who damaged a glass chandelier by swinging on it while 60ft above the reception area has been ordered to pay nearly £8,000 compensation.
Oil worker Ross MacPhail shocked staff and fellow guests staying at Sleeperz Hotel in Dundee on January 3 by clambering onto the light fixture.
The 33-year-old swung back and forth on the £50,000 chandelier for several minutes. He deliberately banged several of the glass pendants together to smash them, sending shards of glass plunging into the foyer.
The roustabout carried out the bizarre, death-defying stunt as fellow guests were gathering for breakfast at the hotel.
Fiscal depute Sarah High told Dundee Sheriff Court how MacPhail climbed onto the light from a fourth-floor balcony. She said: ‘He scaled the glass balustrade of the balcony and was swinging on the chandelier and banging the glass together.
‘Police attended at 8.50am. Eventually, the accused was taken back over the balustrade by the police. It was a public area, approximately 60ft above the ground.
‘I believe the accused was under some sort of substance at the time. He had obviously taken something.’ The court heard MacPhail had become ‘infamous’ due to the prank, which took place during a post-Hogmanay stay at the hotel.
Jim Laverty, defending, said: ‘He has been suffering from significant anxiety in relation to this case. The infamy of this matter being all over the newspapers has caused him considerable stress.’
MacPhail, of Carnoustie, Angus, admitted damaging property by climbing and swinging on a chandelier.
The Crown accepted his not guilty pleas to two further charges – including striking an employee with falling, broken glass and exposing staff and the public to the risk of injury.
He was cleared of struggling with PCs Lewis Smith and Gary Cameron during the fracas. MacPhail was ordered to pay £7,925 to cover the cost of repairs to the chandelier.
Sheriff Paul Brown also placed him under social work supervision for 12 months and said: ‘It is a serious matter and this is an alternative to custody.’