A MAN who drunkenly assaulted and abused staff at an Irvine hotel has been fined.

Alan McKenna, 38, assaulted a woman and behaving in a threatening or abusive manner at the Gailes Hotel in Marine Drive on May 15.

Kilmarnock Sheriff Court heard last week how the incident occurred at around 10pm when the complainer in the charge was informed that other members of staff wanted McKenna removed from the premises due to his unruly behaviour.

McKenna was at the hotel after celebrating his niece’s wedding.

He was seen making his way to the smoking area where he was followed by the complainer.

She told McKenna he would not be allowed back in to the hotel.

He then became agitated before asking when the bus was due to collect the guests from the hotel.

After telling McKenna to wait outside at a seating area, the woman was told by other staff members that McKenna was staying at the hotel overnight.

McKenna was allowed back in and taken to his room but it was not long before McKenna began his drunken abuse.

He approached the complainer in the bar area, shouting and swearing in the process.

McKenna then stated that he would “hunt her down” and that he “knew where she worked.” McKenna then asked the complainer for her name before removing her name badge from her jacket.

The procurator fiscal said this left the woman in a state of fear and alarm.

Another witness had to intervene to direct McKenna away but he followed the woman behind the bar, continuing to shout and swear.

McKenna made his way towards another female witness who was attempting to contact the police.

He grabbed a phone from the woman’s grip and ripped the wire from the phone in the process.

McKenna then returned his attention to the complainer before eventually being removed from the bar area.

He was arrested by police who attended the scene but was not cautioned and charged due to his state of intoxication.

McKenna, of High Street, Renfrew, pled guilty when he appeared at court last week.

David McPherson, defending, revealed McKenna had been drinking since before 12pm and was in “good spirits” throughout the day.

He added that his client had “very little recollection” of his abusive behaviour but accepted full responsibility.

Mr McPherson revealed that McKenna’s last offence was committed almost 20 years ago and that McKenna was eager to apologise to the members of staff for his booze-fuelled antics.

Presiding Sheriff Donald Ferguson took a dim view of McKenna’s behaviour when passing sentence.

He said: “This was totally out of order and really quite disgraceful.

“You took out your drunken state on these members of staff and had you had a more recent record, I think the court would be taking some pretty drastic actions.” He was fined a total of £670.