Scourie B&B operator ordered to make donation to charity after abusive behaviour in shop

A SCOURIE bed and breakfast proprietor who became abusive when asked to observe social distancing at a Tesco store, claimed in court that he was unaware of Covid-19 restrictions.

Ronald Purdie, aged 70, who runs the Stonechats B and B in Scourie, appeared at Inverness Sheriff Court yesterday and admitted threatening or abusive behaviour to staff in the Ullapool Tesco branch on March, 19, 2020.

Fiscal depute Ruraidh Allison told Sheriff Sara Matheson that Purdie was asked at the check-out to retreat to a two metre marker.

"He said: 'I don't have a disease' and then became agitated. He threw a £20 note at the check-out assistant and said to her: 'Here you are, you silly cow.' He was then escorted from the premises by a member of staff and a security officer."

Defence solicitor Matthew Berlow said his client claimed he didn't know about the pandemic and added that he thought that was hard to believe.

The lawyer said: "Then I realised this incident was at the very start of the pandemic. My client doesn't own a TV or radio or listen to the news. He also keeps to himself.

"He didn't know what was happening. He has been to that Tesco hundreds of times and felt he was being treated like a little boy. But it was still unpleasant behaviour."

Sheriff Matheson decided to admonish Purdie but added: "I am going to put you on trust and ask you to make a £100 donation to charity."

Purdie replied: "I can certainly do that."