City hotelier threatened to kill police

AN Edinburgh hotelier has been ordered to carry out 160 hours of community service for threatening to kill police officers and medical staff and breaching the peace at his B&B.

It was alleged William Preston, 58, had hit business student Samuel Hogue, 25, with a glass when a pleasant discussion over a few whiskies turned sour when the release of the Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi came up.

But a jury at Edinburgh Sheriff Court returned a not guilty verdict to the charge after a three-day trial last month. Preston earlier admitted the breach of the peace charge.

Preston, of Marchhall Crescent, denied assaulting Mr Hogue by hitting him on the head with a glass or similar object on August 24 last year.

Sheriff Mhairi Stephen said: "Undoubtedly alcohol was a factor which led to you facing two very serious allegations and a man being injured, although you were acquitted of that charge. I am sure now you realise how easily consumption of alcohol can lead to a situation which hopefully nobody anticipated or wished to happen."

She warned Preston that if he does not carry out his community service he will face jail.