A CONMAN who fled from a luxury hotel after racking up a Valentine's weekend bill of hundreds of pounds was caught after the owner launched a Facebook appeal to identify him.
Robert Grant, 30, and his partner Mandy Paterson, 30, spent the weekend at Knock Castle Hotel before sneaking off without paying.
They spent three nights at the spa hotel, where rooms cost up to £230, and ordered meals and drinks throughout their stay before leaving.
After they fled, hotelier Jason Henderson scoured CCTV footage from the hotel and found images of the couple which he posted online in a bid to catch them.
He offered a reward on Facebook and yesterday Grant, of Dumbryden Gardens, Edinburgh, appeared at Perth Sheriff Court and admitted being responsible for the £749.25 fraud. Paterson had also been charged but the case against her was dropped by the Crown.
Solicitor Emma Fleming, defending, said Grant - a joiner - claimed he believed the room had been paid for by a friend who sold it on to him when he could not use it.
She said: "He paid that individual cash and stayed at the hotel.
"He had an argument with his girlfriend on the final evening and left the hotel. It later transpired the hotel had not been paid and he accepts he was the person who stayed and used the services."
Sheriff Simon Collins said: "I find the explanation offered in mitigation to be implausible and in any event it provides no excuse."
He ordered Grant to pay the full sum in compensation within 28 days and also fined him £550.
Outside court, Mr Henderson said the couple had treated themselves to food, wine and even flowers and champagne during their romantic weekend.
He said: 'It's disappointing and very upsetting that this has happened, myself and all the staff work so hard to sustain the business.
"To me it's not about the £750, it's about highlighting what these people have done and making sure they don't do it again. It's a matter of principle.
"All we expect is people to pay their way, and I wouldn't like this to happen to anyone, whether they are our rivals in the market or not."
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