Millionaire fined for racist rants in bar of Gleneagles Hotel

A millionaire businessman has been fined for racially abusing staff and tourists at Gleneagles Hotel because he was refused service in the bar.Stefan Hutter was held in police custody after launching a vicious verbal tirade at several people because he had fallen out with others during a round of golf at the luxury resort.

The 56-year-old Swiss tycoon – whose company turned over £70 million last year – claimed he had taken painkillers which meant he had no memory of the incident.

Police were called to the hotel on Saturday night when Mr Hutter got angry in the bar area when staff refused to serve him because he was drunk.

Mr Hutter is a regular visitor to Gleneagles and was staying in a luxury suite at the five star hotel to play golf with friends.

Fiscal depute Robbie Brown told Perth Sheriff Court: “This appears to have been precipitated by some form of argument on the golf course earlier in the day. He returned to the hotel and became intoxicated. At 11pm he was in the bar and refused alcohol by staff. Given his state, he became annoyed and upset by that.

“He basically started sounding off. Stevie Seba was on the concierge desk and the accused walked over shouting at him and threatening him. He is of Indonesian origin.

“Houssem Belabed is Tunisian and he was ushering other guests from the bar. The accused was shouting that he hated Muslims and ‘f***ing Arabs’.”

Mr Brown said Mr Hutter then turned his anger towards two American guests staying at the hotel and subjected them to similar abuse.

“He was subsequently arrested and his attitude when he was taken into custody seems to have been that the police should have been out doing more important things than imprisoning him for a minor matter.”

Mr Hutter, managing director of Singapore-based global textile firm Santis, admitted three charges of acting in a threatening or abusive manner at Gleneagles on 20 August.

He admitted shouting in the face of Mr Seba and pointing at him aggressively while threatening to attack him. He admitted causing fear or alarm by racially abusing Mr Belabed and tourists Naim Dehgany and Michael Arshagouni.

He was fined £1,600 after telling the court he could cover any fine with his credit card.

’Like’ The Scotsman on Facebook for regular updates

DOWNLOAD THE SCOTSMAN APP ON ITUNES OR GOOGLE PLAY