Boozy Scots chef attacked hotel staff colleagues during staff Christmas night

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A boozy chef has been ordered to pay compensation to former colleagues after attacking them during the staff Christmas night out.

Ross McDevitt, 31, assaulted two members of staff during the event and was dismissed from his post at the Atholl Arms Hotel in Blair Atholl, Perthshire.

Perth Sheriff Court was told that management at the 31-bedroom hotel arranged the festive celebration on February, 7 2023 when the hotel was quiet with customers.

But tempers flared between members of staff and McDevitt assaulted Darren Morris and Kyle Bruce before being thrown out of his workplace in disgrace.

Fiscal depute Kate Scarborough told the court: "It started in the early evening and the people involved were all staff at the hotel. There was a party going on with drinks.

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"At 11.30pm the party was winding down and people were leaving the bar area. Some sort of altercation took place and the accused pushed Mr Morris to the shoulders, causing him to fall backwards. He struck his head against a keg on the floor behind him. Mr Bruce went over to get the accused to calm down, but he grabbed Mr Bruce by the neck and threw him to the ground.

"He did this more than once as he got back to his feet. Mr Morris was dazed and was taken to the reception area. The accused was asked to leave, which he did. The police were contacted. The accused was traced and taken into custody. He made no reply to caution and charge."

McDevitt, from Cupar, admitted assaulting Darren Morris and Kyle Bruce at the Atholl Arms Hotel, Blair Atholl, on February, 7 2023.

Solicitor Linda Clark, defending, said: "Mr Morris had a sore head, but did not require medical attention. Mr Bruce did not sustain any injury. He gives the explanation that although it was February it was a delayed Christmas party at their place of work. He drank to excess throughout the course of the evening.

"He does not recall how it came to be that he got into an altercation with Mr Morris and Mr Bruce, with whom he had a good relationship up until 7 February last year.

"Afterwards, he contacted the owner of the Atholl Arms to offer an apology for the police having to attend as a result of his behaviour. Following on from this he lost his employment and he does not work alongside either complainer any more. He has no other matters outstanding."

Sheriff William Gilchrist ordered McDevitt to pay £500 compensation to Mr Morris and £250 to Mr Bruce.

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