Shrewsbury Premier Inn robber locked up for three years

Wayne James Smitherman tricked his way into the Premier Inn hotel in Shrewsbury town centre to rob cash from the reception desk, a court heard.

The 33-year-old, of Rectory Gardens in Hanwood, Shrewsbury, was sentenced after he admitted one count of robbery at Shrewsbury Crown Court.

Kevin Jones, prosecuting, said: "On the evening of August 31 and into September 1, the Premier Inn Hotel in Shrewsbury was described as being relatively quiet by the receptionist.

"But at about 5am, as he was cashing up he was able to see CCTV footage of the lobby area where the defendant was, as the main reception is locked at night.

"Smitherman who was wearing a hoodie with the hood up said 'I'm here to book a room under the name of Smith'.

"As there were a number of unconfirmed bookings that night the worker opened the doors.

"The defendant entered with his hood up and said 'this is an armed robbery and this is a gun', while making out he had a weapon in his pocket.

"The hotel worker removed the safe key from his lanyard and Smitherman picked up the till float."

'Calm and in control'

The court heard the father of two stole £100 in £20 notes, attempted to take the receptionist's phone and threatened that his 'Scouse friends' would be looking for him.

Mr Jones added: "The injured party described the incident as lasting for about five minutes in total, and that the defendant seemed calm and in control, and not seeming to be under the influence of any substances – later that day police issued a warrant for his arrest.

"The victim has described himself as being left feeling fearful, looking over his shoulder, a looking out for Scouse people around his workplace."

The court heard Smitherman had 41 previous convictions dating from 1999, with his latest being from August 2017.

Ranjit Sandhu, mitigating, said: "There was no production of a weapon but it is accepted there was a threat of a weapon.

"There was never any violence towards the injured party and no psychological or long lasting effects.

"From what the defendant remembers, before he went out he was taking class A drugs as well as drinking alcohol.

"He now understands that the victim would have believed he had a gun.

"Before he went into custody he had access to his children following drink and drug problems and was seemingly turning his life around.

"He is 33 years old and understands that he needs to be punished."

Sentencing Smitherman, recorder Christopher Millington QC said there had been a degree of planning involved in the robbery.

"Only two staff were present and only one working on the reception.

"You were attempting to conceal your identification by wearing a jacket with a hood.

"In my judgement there is an element of planning here – a soft target and at 5am."