A human resources boss was described as acting like The Hulk as he assaulted a woman and threatened to cut her partner's head off at a Christmas bash.
Robert Hilley lost the plot at Glasgow's Doubletree Hilton hotel in the city's Cambridge Street on December 11, 2021. The 37 year-old had been heard calling women there "w****s" before shoving Lauren Vallance against a window injuring her ankle.
Hilley was found guilty of assaulting the 30 year-old after a trial at Glasgow Sheriff Court. He had pled guilty to a charge of behaving in a threatening and abusive manner before evidence started.
The court heard how a number of firms had been having their festive night out at the hotel. At the end of the evening, Hilley was heard by Miss Vallance's partner Lorraine Andrews telling female revellers they were "w****s" adding they could "s*** his d***".
She then tried to step in as Hilley, of Cambuslang, Lanarkshire, appeared to confront a younger man. Miss Andrews claimed she was punched and ended up on the ground.
The witness went on to tell the trial: "The man grabbed my partner and threw her against a glass panel outside the foyer. I grabbed him and he grabbed hold of my hair and pulled me down to the ground. He said he was going to murder me and cut my head off."
Describing what happened to her, Miss Vallance told the court that she was hurt when her partner went back inside the hotel. She said: "He grabbed me and flung me to the side and I went down. I twisted my ankle."
Hilley lodged a special defence of self-defence. He insisted he ended up with a black eye claiming he was assaulted by Miss Andrews. Hilley said: "I know people get involved to split up fights from working in the hospitality industry but you have no right to assault someone."
He stated he felt he was provoked in relation to making his comments but added: "It does not excuse the conduct."
Prosecutor Siobhan Currie put to him at one stage: "I suggest you were absolutely out of control like The Hulk."
Hilley denied this. Sheriff Andrew Cubie found him guilty of assaulting Miss Vallance, but cleared him of the same charge in connection with Miss Andrews.
He fined Hilley £410 and ordered him to pay Miss Vallance £200 in compensation. The sheriff said: "You are right to acknowledge that your behaviour was disgraceful."
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