Stagecoach partygoers appear in court after bus chaos

Oct 30 2009 by Les Stewart, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

VIOLENCE erupted on a bus returning from a boozy bash thrown by Stagecoach multi-millionaire Brian Souter for long-serving employees at his mansion near Crieff.

Perth Sheriff Court was told that one of the guests at the party, 51-year-old Roderick Mackenzie, of Nimmo Place, Perth, had hospital treatment after his thumb was bitten through “to the bone.”

A couple were also said to have simulated sex on the coach and suggested to MacKenzie’s partner – who works for the transport firm – that they have “a threesome.”

Details of the eventful bus trip, early on the morning of May 11 last year, emerged during Mackenzie’s trial.

He and co-accused Andrew Munns (52), of Simpson Place, Perth, denied assaulting Martin Wood on the bus by repeatedly punching him on the head, to his injury.

The attack was alleged to have taken place on a private hire bus as it travelled on the A85 between Crieff and Methven.

Giving evidence, Mr Wood said the fight started after someone wanted to rip out his six facial piercings.

He said he was held down and someone tried to put their fingers in his eyes so he bit them.

He revealed under cross-examination that he had consumed about 12 glasses of wine, a couple of beers and a glass of champagne at the party night.

Mackenzie told the court that Mr Wood was making sexual innuendos, which he described as “out of order.”

He stood up and leaned over to tell him to shut up but Wood punched him on the jaw.

Mackenzie got hold of his arms but Wood tried to head butt him.

He was then bitten on his thumb and went to hospital where he had injections for hepatitis and tetanus. He still bore the scar from the bite.

Part-way through the trial, the Crown dropped the assault charge against Munns.

Sheriff Michael Fletcher found the charge against Mackenzie not proven.

The Crown, he said, had failed to prove its case “beyond reasonable doubt.”

Neither Mackenzie nor Munns work for Stagecoach.

Stagecoach declined to comment on the case.