A disruptive incident at Perth’s Lovat Hotel led to the arrest of a 36-year-old Edinburgh man following an assault on a 79-year-old woman and subsequent threats made towards police officers. The incident, which occurred on September 23, 2024, began when the man, identified as Grant Coutts, was asked to stop smoking inside the hotel bar.
According to reports, Mr. Coutts reacted angrily to the staff member’s request, creating a disturbance before reluctantly extinguishing his cigarette. He then approached the elderly woman, who was sitting alone, and engaged her in conversation and a card game. The situation escalated after what was described as a “rude” remark by Coutts, leading the woman to tell him he was too intoxicated and should retire for the night. In response, Coutts threw his mobile phone at her, striking her shoulder. Though physically unharmed, the woman was shaken by the assault and contacted the police. Arrest and Escalating Threats
Police arrived at the Lovat Hotel shortly before midnight to find the woman understandably distressed by the encounter. Coutts, exhibiting signs of heavy intoxication, was escorted from the bar and placed in a police van. During this process, his behavior worsened. He launched into a homophobic tirade, directing slurs at officers, and threatened to locate them while off-duty and inflict violence upon them.
This incident follows the Lovat Hotel’s recent appearance on Channel 4’s “Four in a Bed,” bringing the establishment into the national spotlight. Court Proceedings and Sentencing
Coutts appeared at Perth Sheriff Court where he pled guilty to the assault on the pensioner and to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner. An initial charge of indecent verbal communication, suggesting a sexual element to the offense, was dropped by prosecutors after solicitor David Holmes argued against its significance. Fiscal depute Lissie Cooke provided details of the incident to the court.
Sheriff Andrew Berry, addressing Coutts, highlighted the recurring issue of alcohol-fueled aggression in courts nationwide. He sentenced Coutts to a year of supervision and mandated participation in alcohol counseling services, emphasizing the importance of support to prevent further incidents. The Sheriff expressed hope that this would be a turning point for Coutts, enabling him to modify his behavior.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the impact of excessive alcohol consumption and the potential for seemingly minor disagreements to escalate into serious offences, impacting individuals and the wider community. The incident at the Lovat Hotel has undoubtedly left a mark on those involved and underscores the ongoing need for responsible alcohol consumption, especially in public spaces.
According to reports, Mr. Coutts reacted angrily to the staff member’s request, creating a disturbance before reluctantly extinguishing his cigarette. He then approached the elderly woman, who was sitting alone, and engaged her in conversation and a card game. The situation escalated after what was described as a “rude” remark by Coutts, leading the woman to tell him he was too intoxicated and should retire for the night. In response, Coutts threw his mobile phone at her, striking her shoulder. Though physically unharmed, the woman was shaken by the assault and contacted the police. Arrest and Escalating Threats
Police arrived at the Lovat Hotel shortly before midnight to find the woman understandably distressed by the encounter. Coutts, exhibiting signs of heavy intoxication, was escorted from the bar and placed in a police van. During this process, his behavior worsened. He launched into a homophobic tirade, directing slurs at officers, and threatened to locate them while off-duty and inflict violence upon them.
This incident follows the Lovat Hotel’s recent appearance on Channel 4’s “Four in a Bed,” bringing the establishment into the national spotlight. Court Proceedings and Sentencing
Coutts appeared at Perth Sheriff Court where he pled guilty to the assault on the pensioner and to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner. An initial charge of indecent verbal communication, suggesting a sexual element to the offense, was dropped by prosecutors after solicitor David Holmes argued against its significance. Fiscal depute Lissie Cooke provided details of the incident to the court.
Sheriff Andrew Berry, addressing Coutts, highlighted the recurring issue of alcohol-fueled aggression in courts nationwide. He sentenced Coutts to a year of supervision and mandated participation in alcohol counseling services, emphasizing the importance of support to prevent further incidents. The Sheriff expressed hope that this would be a turning point for Coutts, enabling him to modify his behavior.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the impact of excessive alcohol consumption and the potential for seemingly minor disagreements to escalate into serious offences, impacting individuals and the wider community. The incident at the Lovat Hotel has undoubtedly left a mark on those involved and underscores the ongoing need for responsible alcohol consumption, especially in public spaces.