Tycoon Accused Of Beating Jogger On His Estate

Jan 6 2008 By Raymond Hainey

Exclusive Estate Owner Accused Of Battering Jogger

A MILLIONAIRE landowner has been accused of attacking a jogger running through his sprawling country estate.

Bill Roddie, 45, is being investigated by police over claims he swerved in front of David Armour on a tractor then leapt off and punched him in the face.

It is the latest in a series of rows over access between Roddie, a convicted fraudster, and neighbours.

The property tycoon bought the 7000-acre estate at Sauchieburn House, near Bannockburn, Stirlingshire, in May.

Former army medic David, 43, who has run on the estate for 25 years, said: "I was stunned. He was shouting and swearing at me but I said I was free to run up there.

"He was bright red in the face and extremely aggressive. Then he hit me three or four times in the face - really hard slaps on the head.

"I'm not a violent man and didn't want to make things worse, so I backed off. I told him I was going to the police. I had a swollen lip, a black eye and my cheek was swollen.

"But I'll be back. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of thinking he had bulliedme into staying away."

Roddie has also had run-ins with ex-politician Dennis Canavan, who lives nearby.

Canavan is president of the Scottish Ramblers' Association and champions the right of people to walk on the estate.

As an MSP he helped bring in laws allowing public access to private estates in 2003. Despite the right-to-roam rules, Roddie has installed gates to keep people off his land.

Canavan said: "Since he moved into the big house he's been putting obstructions all over the place.

"He installed 6ft fences and gates with no planning permission. He's also smeared the tops of gates with tar-like stuff to deter walkers and put up signs saying the fences are electrified, which they're not."

Canavan has complained to Stirling Council, who enforce right-to-roam laws in the area.

He said: "The council is of the view these obstructions are unlawful. "I go running and walking there myself and he's been aggressive towards me."

Roddie, who drives a £300,000 Rolls-Royce, was jailed for nine months in 1991 for fraud.

A former detective said: "Roddie was involved in long-firm fraud, which basically involves getting goods on credit then doing a runner.

"He wanted to get into the property game and it seems that fraud was the quickest way to get his hands on the money to do so."

Roddie is linked to a myriad chain of companies including Spectrum Properties (Scotland) Ltd, based in Glasgow's east end.

The former garage worker is now a major landlord with a string of commercial and domestic properties. In 2005, he sold a block of flats for £2.5million.

Two years ago Roddie agreed to pay his ex-wife £2million in a divorce payout after she demanded £5million.

Central Scotland Police said: "We have received a complaint regarding an alleged assault on a man jogging within the Sauchieburn estate. Our inquiries are ongoing."

Roddie told the Sunday Mail: "I have no comment to make. Beat it."

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