A former manager took a taxi to a hotel where he used to work to rob it after he was threatened over crippling debts, a court heard.

Hooded Michael Hunte appeared to know his way around the Mercure Tunbridge Wells Hotel in Pembury as he demanded cash from the safe.

But he was unaware that a new security system had been installed since he left his post there as a leisure manager in 2016.

It also emerged that the 47-year-old had gone to the hotel in Tonbridge Road by taxi and asked the driver to wait outside while he went in.

Hunte, of Oakwood Rise, Tunbridge Wells, admitted robbery and was jailed for five years, but he is likely to serve longer as he is on a life licence for a previous armed robbery.

He will not be released until the parole board decides he is no longer a danger.

Maidstone Crown Court was told Emily Beeston was working in the office just after 10pm on January 12 when she heard a tap on the door.

She thought it was a staff member and opened the door, but powerfully built Hunte, wearing a hooded puffa jacket and with a rucksack on his back, walked aggressively towards her.

He grabbed hold of Ms Beeston and threatened: “Do exactly as I f------ say. You are going to open the safe for me and give me the money.”

“She got the impression he knew the layout of the hotel,” said prosecutor Ed Fowler.

He told her: ‘Don’t f------ press the alarm or I’ll kill you.’”

Ms Beeston was ordered to hand over cash from the safe and put it in the rucksack.

He insisted: “That isn’t it. I want everything.” She then put £1 coin bags in as well.

“Again, she thought it was an indication of inside knowledge of the hotel,” said Mr Fowler.

He fled with just under £1,800.

The sales manager looked at CCTV footage and recognised Hunte as having worked there for four years and left after a disciplinary matter.

Police went to his home and found most of the stolen cash, including £550 in coins. His jacket and rucksack were in a bin outside.

Officers traced the taxi driver who took Hunte to the hotel. He said he waited about three minutes outside and then took him back home.

“One can’t say it was sophisticated to take a taxi to the robbery and ask the driver to wait outside.." - Samuel Trethgarn, defending

Mr Fowler said Hunte had previous convictions dating back to 1989 for possessing a blade, assault with intent to rob and attempted robbery.

In 1995, he was jailed for seven years for possessing an imitation firearm with intent.

He was given the life sentence with a minimum of nine years at Kingston Crown Court for armed robbery.

Hunte was released on licence in October 2012 and stayed out of trouble for five years.

Samuel Trethgarn, defending, said Hunte committed the robbery because he was put under pressure by debtors threatening violence.

“One can’t say it was sophisticated to take a taxi to the robbery and ask the driver to wait outside,” he said. “I accept it must have been an extremely scary experience.

“He spent several years over his tariff in prison. He was a model prisoner.

"He knows he will have to convince the parole board again he is safe for release. That will be no small task.

“He will be in prison for a period of time after his sentence expires.”

Judge Philip St John-Stevens told Hunte: “You must understand those three minutes that young lady endured when at one point you said you would kill her if she pushed the alarm, must have been terrifying.”

The judge added that Hunte was regarded as dangerous, but because of his life licence an extended sentence was unnecessary.