Addict banned from going within five miles of Boleskine House near Loch Ness
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A HOMELESS drug addict and alcoholic has been placed on a community payback order after he kept visiting the ruins of a mansion near Loch Ness and terrorising a couple there.
Greek national Panagiotis Pierrakos (48) was said to be fascinated by Aleister Crowley, the self-professed 'wickedest man in the world' who dabbled in black magic at Boleskine House near Foyers.
Boleskine House suffered devastating fire damage in 2015 and again in 2019.
A foundation was set up to restore the building with Kyra and Keith Readdy living in the Old Gate House and supervising the £1.2 million restoration project after the fires.
Inverness Sheriff Court, at an earlier hearing, was told that Pierrakos, who has been remanded in custody since July, was a constant visitor to the site.
Mr and Mrs Readdy had to involve the police and on May 15 they had had enough.
Pierrakos was seen on the old military road walking towards Boleskine House, previously owned by Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page.
Because of his previous visits, police were informed.
Fiscal depute Pauline Gair told Sheriff Eilidh Macdonald: “The history of the house seems to be an attraction, especially to occultists who followed the activities of Aleister Crowley at the beginning of last century.
“The couple heard a knock at the door during the evening and Pierrakos had a jumper which had been sitting in the porch.
“Mr Readdy tried to grab it, but Pierrakos squared up to him and pushed his way in, knocking over Mrs Readdy.
“Mr Readdy managed to get him out of the house and Pierrakos made his way up to the ruins to an area known as room one where he was arrested.”
Pierrakos then twice broke bail conditions not to approach the Gate House before another incident on July 17.
Mrs Gair said he again returned to the house and when police approached him, he threw a punch, missing one officer before he was grappled to the ground and handcuffed.
Pierrakos admitted stalking the Readdys, two charges of assault, two of bail breaches, one of police assault and resisting arrest.
Defence solicitor Natalie Paterson said her client had an alcohol and drug problem which he was keen to overcome with help.
Sentence was deferred for an initial drug treatment assessment.
Pierrakos appeared by video link from prison for sentencing today.
Through an interpreter, Ms Paterson said he was not deemed suitable for a drug treatment testing order but at the assessment he said he did not fully understand what was being said because he did not have an interpreter with him.
"Clearly he has a problem with alcohol and drugs," said Ms Paterson, who recommended he should be placed on a community payback order.
Also she said the court should take into account he had been in custody since July which was equivalent to a six months jail sentence.
Sheriff Macdonald placed Pierrakos on supervision for 12 months, with alcohol treatment a condition of the order. She also placed him on a non-harrassment order and told him he must not go within five miles of the Old Gate Lodge at Boleskine House.
It was an alternative to a custodial sentence, he was told.
