Man jailed after brandishing knife in Stoke hotel

A man has been jailed for 16-months after pleading guilty to multiple offences in Stoke-on-Trent.

Forty-four-year-old Mark Howells, of no fixed address, was sentenced at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on 2 February following reports of a disturbance on 24 October 2021.

The court heard how Howell’s victim feared for their life during an incident inside the Crown Hotel in Longton.

At 1.45am, a witness reported Howells to police, who was seen walking towards the hotel with a hammer in his hand. He was asked to hand in the hammer once inside of the premises, where he complied and returned to his room.

Just over an hour later, a disturbance was heard from inside Howells room, who then assaulted a worker by punching them in the face, and proceeded to enter the reception area whilst brandishing a kitchen knife.

A worker was forced to hide from Howells in a side room - who tried to force the door and began to cause substantial damage to the premises prior to police’s arrival.

Howells dropped the knife when confronted by officers and was subsequently arrested.

He was later charged with affray, possession of a knife in a public place and criminal damage to a property valued under £5,000.

PC Philip Aston, of Staffordshire Police, said: “Howells caused significant emotional distress to those at the scene who were left in shock at his violent outburst.

“We are happy with the sentencing and we hope this serves as a reminder that Staffordshire Police will investigate these circumstances comprehensively in order to deliver justice to victims of crime.”

“This behaviour will not be tolerated and we assure the community that the force will take all of the necessary steps to apprehend those responsible.”