Published at 08:44, Friday, 13 July 2012

A drunk man who smashed up a hotel room in Carlisle must pay £1,000 in compensation.

Gary Middlemiss, 44, of Cherrytree Drive, Maryport, was staying at the Travelodge on June 26 when he wrecked his room after an argument with his ex-partner.

Middlemiss had:

• Damaged a wall mirror (£150);
• Put holes in a bathroom door (£400);
• Put two holes in plaster board walls and three gauges in a wall (£700);
• Caused damage to a chair (£180);
• Damaged a Dimplex radiator (£165);
• Marked and damaged the carpet (£150).

Carlisle Magistrates’ Court was told that staff had been called to room 307 – where Middlemiss was staying – after guests reported high levels of “screams and shouting”.

Prosecutor Adrienne Harris said: “Staff initially thought Middlemiss had been smoking in his room. He was asked to leave and police were called.

“The officers could see damage to the room and he was unsteady on his feet and smelled of alcohol.

“His ex-partner was in a distressed state and he was arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage.

“Police had to use approved restraining techniques as he struggled as they tried to arrest him.”

In court, Middlemiss admitted causing criminal damage, using threatening or insulting words or behaviour and obstructing a police officer.

He said he had been drinking spirits – something which he didn’t normally do. He said he was “genuinely remorseful”.

Judge Gerald Chalk said: “You caused substantial damage to the hotel bedroom and you petrified the guests and staff that were working there.”

He imposed a 12-month community order with 160 hours of unpaid work.

Middlemiss must also pay £1,000 compensation to the hotel.

Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk