A SCOTTISH rambler who was accused of of urinating on one of Donald Trump’s golf courses has revealed the criminal case against her has now been dropped.
Rohan Beyts was charged under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act for allegedly urinating on Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire in April.
The 62-year-old had been out for a walk when she was apparently caught short and later visited by police who informed her that staff had filmed the incident on their mobile phones.
The former social worker refused to admit the charges, challenging the decision to be issued with a warning letter that would be put on record.
In a turn of events last month the Scots gran revealed she was suing the course for breach of privacy and damages.
On Tuesday Beyts revealed on Facebook that the criminal case against her had now been dropped by the procurator fiscal.
She said: “Today I heard that the criminal case against me has been dropped. Hurray.
“I am relieved that the Procurator Fiscal has seen sense.
“I am still mystified as to the claim that I was within a few feet of the clubhouse when this “shameful and disgusting act” took place.
“The tremendous support I have received, including from people who have played the course, has assuaged any doubts I had.
“I will continue to visit my friends who live on neighbouring properties and if necessary cross the course in accordance with the outdoor access code.”
Dozens of friends and supporters took to the post to congratulate Beyts on the decision.
John Picken said: “Well done and thank you for standing your ground and getting this result, though knowing you are innocent, right and justified at times it must have been difficult.”
Pauline Jewett wrote: “I’m so pleased for you Rohan, it must have been such a stressful time, even though you were in the right and it should never have gone this far. Good that common sense has finally prevailed.
“I worked in forestry throughout most of my life so outdoor peeing was a necessity, and the outcome of this could have been quite far ranging had they been successful in their stupid accusation.
And Jeanette Baratta said: “Congrats and bravo for standing up to them, Rohan. My hero.”
Under Scottish laws that uphold public access to open land, Beyts and a friend had used a public footpath across the Trump course to walk past the clubhouse on April 11 this year.
As they came back from their walk, the pair say there were challenged by resort staff and then photographed by a local newspaper photographer.
She was visited by two Police Scotland officers three days laters who formally charged her with public annoyance.
A third officer told her that two members of Trump’s staff and a guest on the course had filmed her on their mobile phones as she ducked behind the dunes.
At the time she was accused by the Trump organisation of causing offense.
Beyts, an active environmentalist, has made no secret of her disapproval of Trump’s development having actively protested against the resort in the past.
She often takes part in voluntary work for the John Muir Trust, which protects wild land – including clearing up other people’s wastes.
A Crown Office spokesman said: “Following a review of all facts and circumstances the case, including new evidence which has come to light, the Procurator Fiscal instructed there be no proceedings.”
