Man admits robbery at guesthouse
Last updated 12:52, Tuesday, 03 June 2008
THE man responsible for a terrifying robbery at a Carlisle guesthouse admitted his crime at the city’s crown court.
But David Campbell, 43, from Alloa in Scotland, denied that he had pushed, or used a knife to threaten, his victim Anita Martin, owner of The Warren, on Warwick Road.
Appearing before judge Barbara Forrester through a prison video link, Campbell admitted a single count of robbery on the basis that he threatened Mrs Martin with a key rather than a knife.
Crown Prosecution Service lawyers are disputing his version of the robbery and a further hearing will be held before a judge to determine the facts of the case.
The court will hear evidence from Mrs Martin about the robbery on January 24, in which the Campbell stole £60, credit cards and jewellery, including his victim’s wedding ring.
At the time, she revealed how she was marched upstairs and locked in a storeroom. The plucky 5ft tall Filipino who has made her home in Carlisle, smashed through the wall with her hands to escape.
Mrs Martin told the News & Star: “I have never been so scared in all my life.”
She said it had taken her about an hour for her to escape and raise the alarm.
She said: “The man rang and booked a room and said he was looking for houses to buy in Carlisle.
“He booked in and paid £10 deposit and said he would get more money later.”
She said Campbell threatened her when she returned from a shopping trip.
Mrs Martin’s husband Jimmy, who was working in London at the time, said he was proud of how his wife had coped with her ordeal.
He said: “I don’t know how the hell she smashed a hole in the wall. She’s an amazing woman, very strong.”
After hearing representations from lawyers in the case yesterday, Judge Forrester ordered background reports and adjourned the case until July 31. Campbell was remanded in custody.
