Careless chef at Gleneagles Hotel lied about robbery

A clumsy chef sparked a police investigation after losing £200 in cash.

Gareth Jones dropped the money at the Gleneagles Hotel, where he works as a second commis chef, but claimed it had been stolen.

Perth Sheriff Court heard that the 20-year-old called 999, saying that he had been robbed while shopping in the city on March 5.

He told officers he had been kicked several times by an unknown assailant and that the large sum of money was taken from him.

Two days later, Jones received another visit from constables and, after they expressed doubts about his story, he admitted he had made the whole thing up.

Representing himself, Jones told the court: “I lost the money and I wanted to go home to see my family.

“I actually lost the money in the hotel a few days earlier. I am truly sorry for this.”

Jones, who resides in staff accommodation at Gleneagles Hotel, admitted that on March 5 and March 7 he falsely represented to police officers that he had been the victim of a robbery.

He appeared in court before Sheriff Gerard MacMillan, who imposed a fine of £460.

The sheriff told the young chef: “I take on board your expression of regret, which is welcome.”