Men accused of scissor attack at asylum seeker hotel

News imageBBC Aerial shot of hotel building with bright panels next to windows, and trees and grass outside, and wider view of town buildings, under a cloudy blue sky.BBC
The hotel in Westhill - with bright panels - has been used to house asylum seekers

Four men have been accused of attacking a man with a pair of scissors at an asylum seeker hotel in Aberdeenshire.

The assault is alleged to have happened at the Hampton by Hilton in Westhill last year.

Mustafa Shneno, 21, Mohammed Barakart, 27, Arkan Al-Meri, 30, and Waled Al Hammle, 41, allegedly repeatedly punched and kicked Meshaal Alshemari on the head and body, restrained him, and repeatedly stuck him on the head and body with a pair of scissors to his injury.

Not guilty pleas were lodged at Aberdeen Sheriff Court for Barakart and Al Hammle, both of Edinburgh, and Al-Meri, of Leeds. Shneno, also of Edinburgh, was not represented, and no plea was entered on his behalf.

The incident is said to have happened on 28 November last year at the Hampton by Hilton at Gordon Park, Elrick, Westhill.

Only Al Hammle was in the dock, and was assisted by an Arabic interpreter.

The case was continued until next month.

The hotel started accommodating asylum seekers in 2023.