Man with knife demanded cash from Devonport Hotel in Middleton One Row

Staff at the Devonport Hotel in the village of Middleton One Row near Darlington locked themselves in the staff room after Ashley Wardell entered the kitchen at 6.50am on January 29 this year.

Durham Crown Court heard Wardell's face was partially covered by a hood and he was armed with a 15cm-long knife, held across his chest.

Neil Jones, prosecuting, said the defendant confronted the head chef, saying: “I want your money. I want your float. I want your safe.”

Ashley Wardell, 32, jailed for five years for 'less than sophisticated' knife-carrying robbery attempt at a hotel near Darlington (Image: Durham Constabulary)

The chef ran to the manager’s office and shouted to her to ring for the police.

Mr Jones said Wardell did not make any verbal threat of violence to the chef, but the knife was clearly visible as he made his demands for money.

The hotel personnel present locked themselves in the staff room while awaiting the police and Wardell left empty-handed.

Police officer recognised Wardell on the hotel's CCTV and when they went to arrest him he was washing clothing matching the garments worn by the would-be robber.

Mr Jones said the defendant had only been released from his previous prison sentence, for a non-dwelling burglary and affray, nine days earlier.

In victim statements read to the court, Mr Jones said the chef said although he remained calm during the confrontation he was still “shocked” that kind of incident happened in his line of work.

The hotel manageress said although she did not actually see Wardell during the incident she said she had, “never been so scared to be at work” and “never felt so vulnerable.”

She said although she loves her job she was concerned about doing shift work.

The scene of the robbery attempt, the Devonport Hotel, in The Front, Middleton One Row, on January 29 (Image: The Northern Echo)

Wardell, 32, of Pine Tree Grove, Middleton St George, who has in custody since his first appearance before magistrates, on January 31, admitted attempted robbery at the plea hearing last month.

Michael Cahill, for Wardell, said while the knife was produced during the incident it was never used or pointed in the direction of anyone.

He also pointed out that the charge was attempted robbery as the defendant did not get away with anything.

Mr Cahill said the defendant has struggled throughout his adult life following childhood trauma for which he has received counselling, which he has found useful.

“His criminal behaviour is down to him not taking control of the trauma he suffered as a young man.

“He understands, however, as he’s getting older that the seriousness of this kind of offence, going into a public house armed with a knife.

“He’s still a young mind who has had the most traumatic start in life but he’s now in his 30s is better able to deal with it.”

Mr Cahill said the defendant wished to offer his “sincere apologies” to the hotel staff affected by his actions that day.

“He’s ashamed of himself and wants them to know he meant them no harm whatsoever.”

Judge Advocate Edward Legard said the defendant timed his entry to the hotel to the point when float for the day was being processed and he demanded cash flow from the till or safe.

“There may have been no direct threat in the form of spoken words.

“But you don’t have to say anything to constitute a threat.

“Unsurprisingly, the staff were alarmed and considered the risk so great that they locked themselves in the staff room and a 999 call was made.

“You were identified on internal cctv and matching clothing was recovered from your washing machine.

“The acting manager said she had never been so scared at work, feeling very vulnerable knowing someone with a knife was in the building.

“You’re 32, but with a poor record of 28 convictions for 49 offences, 13 of them committed on bail and this was committed while you were on licence only just after you were released from prison.

“It was a commercial robbery, albeit less than sophisticated.”

Imposing a 60-month (five-year) prison sentence, the judge told Wardell he will serve half in prison before being released on licence.

He also made the defendant subject of a five-year restraining order prohibiting him from contacting or communicating with the hotel manager.

Wardell is also forbidden from attending either the hotel or The Front, in Middleton One Row, also for five years.