An “animalistic” burglar attacked a former hotelier after being disturbed pilfering from his pantry, a court heard.

Roy Scott, 37, pleaded guilty to wounding Michael Stainer while committing burglary at The Grand on the Leas in Folkestone.

Mr Stainer, former director of the Grand, who attended Scott’s plea hearing at Canterbury Crown Court on Monday, suffered facial bruising following the assault.

Speaking shortly after the attack in January last year, Robert Richardson, The Grand’s general manager, revealed Scott had an accomplice and dubbed the duo “animals.”

“When he went into the store room he was just stunned, there was some grabbing, then the CCTV shows the fight moved off-screen.

“They didn’t have to beat him. The level of violence was hugely disproportionate.

“They could have just walked past him but they were animals and gave him a severe beating,” he said.

It wasn’t disclosed in court whether the unnamed counterpart was still at large.

Prosecutor Amy Nicholson explained Scott assaulted the former director, who lives in a private wing of the historic venue, in the drinks store on the evening of January 26 last year.

He was arrested after a CCTV still was circulated.

The duo fled with two bottles of spirits prompting a police manhunt, The Grand reported at the time of the attack.

Judge James O’Mahony adjourned sentencing for reports on Scott’s “dangerousness”, that is, to assess whether an extended licence is necessary.

Wearing a grey jumper and tracksuit bottoms, having only spoken to confirm his name and age, Scott called Judge O’Mahony “an idiot” at the end of the hearing before storming off the screen.

Scott, of no fixed abode and represented by James Attridge, will be sentenced at the same court on January 6.

Judge O’Mahony remanded Scott in prison while the Probation Service carries out its investigation.

He will be sentenced for wounding without intent and burglary other than a dwelling with intent to steal.

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