A group of Spanish tourists were left so terrified by an unprovoked attack that they have vowed never to visit Scotland again.
During a trip to Perth, they became involved in an altercation with three locals, resulting in some of the visitors being punched and kicked.
The visitors, believed to be aged between 55 and 62, were described as being ”extremely distressed and frightened” by the incident.
Louise Burden, Ross Frankowski and Dayne Cairns appeared in the dock at Perth Sheriff Court on Tuesday and admitted their ”aggressive” behaviour.
Defence agent Jamie Baxter revealed that his client, 23-year-old Cairns, had only latterly become involved in the incident, as he had been in a flat overlooking the area of the High Street where the drama unfolded.
”He and Frankowski had been with other friends at the flat where they had been drinking,” he said. ”They heard a commotion, looked out of the window and at that stage could see that Burden, who was at that time the partner of Frankowski, was involved in something.
”The first he realised of what was going on was when he saw Burden on the ground surrounded by a number of men. They reacted to that and left the flat to assist, believing she was in immediate danger.”
Mr Baxter said there was a ”confrontation” between Cairns, of no fixed abode, and some of the men, resulting in him ”throwing a punch” at one of them.
He added: ”He accepts he went beyond what was acceptable and is just thankful there were no injuries sustained.”
Looking at Cairns’ extensive criminal record, which includes assault with a knife, Sheriff Valerie Johnston said it was”fortunate” that no weapons were involved.
Cairns admitted breaching the peace on June 18 by approaching and punching an unknown person.
Jailing him for 90 days, Sheriff Johnston said: ”You should be totally ashamed of yourself.”
Meanwhile, Burden (21) and Frankowski (28), both of South Methven Street, will appear for sentencing on December 20.
Frankowksi admitted breaching the peace, while Burden admitted behaving in a disorderly manner by gesticulating, approaching others aggressively, struggling with them, punching and kicking them and committing a breach of the peace.