Businessman fined for phone threats over pub deal

A BUSINESSMAN was fined £500 for making threatening phone calls to a man following a fall-out over the purchase of a pub in Dalkeith

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday, 48-year-old John Jeromson of Harmony Crescent, Bonnyrigg, admitted committing a breach of the peace between 23 April and 28 May last year by repeatedly telephoning Matin Rashid Khan and making threats.

Fiscal Depute Pauline Shade told Sheriff James Scott that Jeromson, the director of a property development company, and Mr Khan were both businessmen and had known each other for a number of years.

Mr Khan, she said, owned the Itihaas Restaurant in Dalkeith. The trouble between the two men began in February, 2009, when a bar in Dalkeith was advertised for sale.

The fiscal claimed that Jeromson had inspected the premises and contacted Mr Khan asking if he wanted to buy them. Mr Khan later discovered that the accused was not the legal owner and began negotiations directly with the owners.

"When the accused discovered Mr Khan was in negotiation with them he began phoning Mr Khan a number of times in just over a month at home and at his work making threats, such as his restaurant would be shut down," said the fiscal.

She added: "The accused turned up at Mr Khan's restaurant on May 28 and began shouting and swearing at staff there. Mr Khan said he had had enough and contacted the police".

Defence solicitor Jim Stephenson said Jeromson was in a position to pay a financial penalty. "He regrets his actions in relation to this matter," he said.