by Paul Hooper

Folkestone hotelier Mark Gregor was beaten up so badly by two “animals”
that his wife feared he would die.

Mr Gregor was brutally kicked in the face, pushed down stairs and then
repeatedly punched until he lost consciousness.

The landlord of Banque Hotel in Castle Hill Avenue – who suffers from a
serious ailment which affects the lungs - was left with bruises to his
head, chest and back.

His wife Heidi later told police: “I was terrified that my husband
would die. I was shocked by what I saw.

“They acted so quickly together…like animals. How can any human being
allow another to go through this?”

Thugs Michael Hook, 24, of Harbour Way, Folkestone and pal Danny
Meurin, 26, of South Road, Hythe were both jailed after admitting
assault causing actual bodily harm.

Prosecutor Jim Harvey told Canterbury Crown Court that Meurin was
staying at the hotel a week before Christmas last year.

“There had already been problems with Meurin and his entourage before
this attack during the course of the evening and he was warned about
using foul language.

“Meurin was there with his pregnant girlfriend and was joined by Hook.
At closing time the rules are that non-tenants had to leave.”

Mark’s wife, Heidi, asked Hook to leave but was spat at and it
was then Mark went up the stairs.

"(they were) like animals. how can any human being allow another to go through this?" – hotelier heidi gregor

Mr Harvey added: “While he was on the stairs he was then kicked in the
face by Hook and he stumbled as he tried to restrain his assailant, who
began shouting repeatedly to Meurin: 'Kick him in the face!’

“Mr Gregor then fell down the 12 steps and hit the corner of the
reception desk. Meurin then jumped on top of him and, along with Hook,
punched him several times. He then lost consciousness.”

Hook was later arrested and TWICE given bail but each time committed
further offences, including making racist comments to a pregnant woman
and her partner and possessing Class B and C drugs.

The court heard how in May this year he screamed: “You dirty cacky
Slovak” at a man.

Mr Harvey said: “The female partner was heavily pregnant at the time
and Hook threatened to stab her and the unborn child while he racially
abused the unborn child.”

In July Hook was then caught with cannabis and diazepam.

Oliver Saxby, for Meurin, said: “He realises that what he did was wrong
and he feels ashamed by what happened.”

Judge Adele Williams jailed Hook, who also admitted a racially
aggravated public order offence and possessing illegal drugs for a total of 30 months.

Meurin was sent to prison for 16 months.

She told Hook: “The language you used to that couple is wholly
unacceptable and causes revulsion in the thinking of right-minded people.”