A half-naked man who attempted to rob a hotel guest while wearing women’s tights has been sentenced.

Joseph Oliver, of Marine Parade, Sheerness, became aggressive towards guests and staff at the Premier Inn at Bobbing Corner services, without any provocation.

The 43-year-old attempted to steal a visitor’s bags before damaging a door.

He admitted attempted robbery and criminal damage and was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court yesterday to 18 months in prison.

The court heard the altercation took place at the hotel at about 7.20am on Sunday, November 18, last year.

Oliver, who was dressed only in women’s tights, behaved aggressively towards staff, a hotel guest and a taxi driver in the reception and car park areas.

At one point he demanded money from a hotel guest and threatened to physically harm them if they did not hand it over.

A scuffle took place, during which the offender grabbed their bags and attempted to steal them.

'Oliver’s aggressive and violent behaviour shown during the incident resulted in numerous people fearing for their safety' - PC Zak Khan

He then tried to get in a taxi the victim had ordered and snatched the keys off the driver before getting into the driver’s seat.

The driver was able to grab the keys back off him and shortly after officers arrived and arrested him.

During the disturbance, a hotel door was also damaged.

PC Zak Khan, Kent Police’s investigating officer for the case, said: "Oliver’s aggressive and violent behaviour shown during the incident resulted in numerous people fearing for their safety.

"Such behaviour cannot be accepted and I am pleased that we have been able to secure a custodial sentence for the victims of the offences."

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