A father-of-six who was mistakenly identified as cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy after donning a Highland outfit he found on a park bench has been handed a financial penalty by an Edinburgh court.
A Costly Case of Mistaken Identity
Gary Towsey, 43, from Liverpool, arrived at the plush five-star Bonham Hotel in Edinburgh in September 2023 dressed in full Highland regalia. The court heard he was intoxicated and wearing a kilt, jacket, and shoes he had stumbled upon abandoned on a bench in The Meadows park.
Believing the kilt-clad guest to be the Olympic gold medallist, who was due at a function elsewhere in the city that evening, hotel staff allegedly provided Towsey with complimentary accommodation and food worth approximately £600.
Charges Dropped After 'Foolish Drunken Mistake' Admission
Towsey was subsequently arrested and charged with fraud and with reset – the Scottish legal term for handling stolen property. The outfit, valued at a combined £610, had been stolen from Davison dress hire in Bruntsfield.
During a hearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, prosecutors accepted his not guilty pleas to both charges. His defence agent, Catriona Logan, stated Towsey had made a 'foolish drunken mistake' after waiting to see if anyone would return for the discarded clothing.
'There was full recovery of that and at the time [he] was suffering with a battle with alcoholism,' Ms Logan told the court, adding that Towsey has now been sober for six months and works as a kitchen porter.
Court Outcome and Financial Penalty
Sheriff Frank Gill stated he would deal with the matter via a financial penalty. Depute fiscal Peter Finnon confirmed to the court that there was 'no suggestion' Towsey had originally stolen the items himself.
As a result, Gary Towsey was ordered to pay a total of £280. The case highlights an unusual series of events stemming from a case of high-profile mistaken identity at one of Scotland's luxury hotels.
