Ferndown Hotel Robber Jailed

A 40-year-old man has been jailed for five and a half years after admitting to a robbery at a Ferndown Hotel.

Steven Williams, of Wimborne, was one of two men responsible for attacking a member of staff at the Premier Inn along Ringwood Road and stealing £100 from an office safe.

The male member of staff was left with minor injuries as a result of the attack which took place at around 11.50pm on Sunday 10 July 2011.

Williams pleaded guilty to robbery and commercial burglary at Bournemouth Crown Court on Monday 26 March 2012.

He was sentenced to five and a half years imprisonment on Tuesday 8 May 2012 at the same court.

Investigating officer Police Constable Chris Raspini, of the Priority Crime Team, said:

"This was a highly distressing attack on a lone man as he made the short walk between the Smugglers Haunt Pub and the adjacent Premier Inn.

"Such unacceptable behaviour will not be tolerated and I welcome the sentence that has been handed down to Williams by the judge."