A teenage cook who threatened to “deck” the boss of a hotel in St Fillans and was later spotted wielding a meat cleaver has been ordered to stay sober for the next 18 months.
Perth Sheriff Court heard David McCutcheon was working as a chef and staying at the Achray House Hotel when he threatened owner and director Laura Muirhead with violence earlier this year.
Fiscal depute Elizabeth Hodgson told the court last week Ms Muirhead was in her bedroom on February 28 when she heard “a loud bang” in the car park.
She said Ms Muirhead looked out of her window to see what the noise was and saw McCutcheon calling for her to “come down”.
Ms Hodgson said McCutcheon appeared to be “hostile” and “very upset” as he tried to convince Ms Muirhead to go outside.
“The accused then told the complainer the noise was him banging his head on a metal pole,” Ms Hodgson said.
She said McCutcheon then threatened to “f***ing deck” Ms Muirhead and she was so alarmed by his behaviour she barricaded herself in her room with furniture.
Ms Hodgson said Ms Muirhead then watched images from CCTV fitted around the hotel from her room and saw McCutcheon wandering around holding a meat cleaver.
“Fearful for her safety and her guests she contacted the police,” Ms Hodgson said.
“Police attended and traced the accused in the kitchen and placed him in handcuffs.”
McCutcheon (19), now of Eastwood Avenue, Stranraer, pled guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by shouting and swearing at Ms Muirhead, making threats of violence towards her and having an offensive weapon.
A solicitor acting for McCutcheon in court last Wednesday said he had “issues” with alcohol as well as his overall mental health.
“He doesn’t have a great recollection of it,” they said.
Sheriff Alistair Carmichael placed McCutcheon under the supervision of social workers for 18 months during which time he said he expected him to abstain from alcohol.
“This was a serious incident,” he noted.
