News / Alcoholic left ‘disgusting mess’ in hotel room
A MAN who failed to pay for overnight stays at a Lerwick hotel and left a room in a “disgusting mess” which cost £500 to clean has had his sentence deferred until January.
Philip Smith, of Gossaford, Brae, admitted at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday to obtaining lodgings to the value of £62 at the Queen’s Hotel without paying on an occasion between 1 April and 30 April 2015 and also on 29 July this year.
The 52 year old also pled guilty to damaging property belonging to another at the hotel on the July date by urinating and defecating on a bed.
Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said Smith, described as an alcoholic, told staff at the hotel he was going to a bank machine to pay for his stay, but he never returned.
The fiscal said the “disgusting mess” left by Smith was the result of alcohol use and cost the hotel £500 clean, with staff having to sort out the bed, mattress and bedding, as well as deep cleaning the room.
Defence agent Tommy Allan said his client had split up with his wife and was struggling to cope at the time.
He said Smith incorrectly thought he had money in his bank account to pay for the rooms.
Sheriff Philip Mann adjourned the case until 5 January for criminal justice social work reports to be prepared.
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