TOURISM BOSSES have defended Perth’s image as a welcoming city after a group of Spaniards who were attacked in the street vowed never to return.
Three locals were jailed for their part in the alcohol-fuelled incident, which saw the tourists set upon in the High Street earlier this year.
A spokesman for Visit Scotland said the holidaymakers’ experience was far from typical of a trip to the Fair City.
Appearing yesterday at Perth Sheriff Court, Louise Burden (21) and Ross Frankowski (28), both of South Methven Street, pleaded guilty to breaching the peace. Sheriff Valerie Johnston sentenced Burden to 40 days’ imprisonment and Frankowski to 90 days.
A third accused, Dayne Cairns (24), was earlier jailed for 90 days for punching one of the men.
The court previously heard how the tourists, aged between 55 and 62, were left “extremely distressed and frightened” by the unprovoked attack on June 18.
A spokesman for Visit Scotland said: “Scotland is renowned throughout the world for the warmth of its welcome.
“This was clearly an isolated and completely unacceptable incident but we are sure that it will have little impact on the number of visitors to Perth, a beautiful city and one of the jewels in the Scottish tourism crown.”
Sheriff Johnston said: “This was a totally disgraceful attack on a group of mature Spanish tourists.
“The incident was fuelled by excessive consumption of alcohol and there are no mitigating factors.
“It was a horrifying experience right in the heart of one of Scotland’s most historic and beautiful cities.
“It resulted in trauma for innocent Spaniards, one of whom was probably trying to help Miss Burden.
“These people made it clear they would never be back in Scotland, never mind Perth.”
The court was told Cairns and Frankowski were in a flat overlooking the High Street when they saw Burden surrounded by a group of men on the road below.
Wrongly believing her to be in danger, they left the flat to assist, and the incident unfolded from there.
Defence agent Paul Ralph said: “A possible argument could have been constructed that when Mr Frankowski first became involved he may have had noble intentions.
“But that quickly dissolved.”
Linda Clark, defending Burden, said her client was “disgusted” by her behaviour after viewing CCTV footage of the incident.
sgillespie@thecourier.co.uk