A man has been sentenced to more than six years in prison for attempting to murder his girlfriend during a weekend stay at a luxury Edinburgh hotel.
Violent assault in five-star hotel
Sean Hendry, aged 29, launched a brutal attack on his partner in their room at the Sheraton Grand Hotel and Spa on 22 February 2025. According to prosecutors, the assault began after midnight following dinner and drinks, when Hendry became "increasingly angry and aggressive" and accused her of messaging other men.
Advocate depute Alan Cameron KC told the High Court that Hendry got on top of the woman as she sat on a bed, placed both hands around her neck, and put his fingers down her throat. She was left gasping for air, unable to breathe. He then took a pillow and pressed it onto her face, further restricting her breathing to the point where she believed she would lose consciousness.
During the ordeal, Hendry reportedly threatened, "we are both going to die tonight" and "I'm going to slit your throat," leaving the victim in fear for her life. He also repeatedly punched her on the head and body.
Victim's escape and breached bail conditions
The attack was interrupted when Hendry broke off and went to a window, indicating he intended to jump. This allowed the woman to flee into the hallway and scream for help. Guests in a neighbouring room alerted hotel security and witnessed Hendry "acting erratically" and shouting at the injured victim.
After being arrested and charged with assault, Hendry was released on an undertaking with a specific condition not to contact the woman or go to her street in Clackmannanshire. He breached this within hours, phoning her to demand his bank card and then turning up at her home in Alloa, where he threatened to smash his way in with a vodka bottle. This caused the victim to suffer a panic attack, requiring an ambulance.
Extended sentence handed down
At the High Court in Edinburgh in November, Hendry pleaded guilty to attempted murder, behaving in a threatening or abusive manner at the hotel and in Alloa, and failing to comply with his bail conditions.
On Tuesday 6 January 2026, at the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Renucci handed Hendry an extended sentence. He received a custodial term of six years and three months, followed by three years on licence once released back into the community. Additionally, he was banned from contacting the victim for 15 years.
The court heard the couple had been in a relationship for approximately two-and-a-half years at the time of the hotel getaway.
