News / Supervision for leaving hotel room in ‘disgusting mess’
A MAN who has been told he could have only months to live if he drinks alcohol again has been placed under supervision after failing to pay for stays in a Lerwick hotel and leaving a room in a “disgusting mess”.
Philip Smith, of Gossaford, Brae, previously admitted at Lerwick Sheriff Court 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 pleaded guilty to damaging property belonging to another at the hotel on the July date by urinating and defecating on a bed.
The court previously heard from procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie that Smith left a room in such a mess that it cost around £500 to clean.
Defence agent Tommy Allan said his client had been struggling to cope with a break-up and wrongly thought he had funds in his bank account to pay for his overnight stays.
Speaking at the court on Thursday during sentencing, Allan said it was a “source of embarrassment” for Smith that he had “fallen so far”, but was hopeful he had hit “rock bottom” and things were now improving.
The solicitor said his client was under no illusion that his life expectancy will be significantly lowered if he drinks again, perhaps to as little as three months.
Sheriff James Scott placed Smith under supervision for 18 months.
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