Castle Inn Hotel receptionist assaulted by guest after noise complaint

Lisa Ackerley, 50, had been staying at the Castle Inn Hotel at Bassenthwaite on November 25. A member of staff working on reception received a noise complaint about the room Ackerley was staying in, Workington Magistrates’ Court heard.

Pamela Fee, prosecuting, said the receptionist went to the room and could hear screaming and shouting. She knocked on the door.

When Ackerley opened the door, she told the receptionist she had just received a phone call to say her friend had died. She grabbed the receptionist by the hair and hit her to the face.

The victim returned to reception to call the police. Ackerley came down to reception and was shouting. She then assaulted the woman again, hitting her arm.

Ackerley was described as being ‘very drunk’ during the incident. The victim said it had left her feeling ‘traumatised’ and she had been unable to go to work afterwards.

Ms Fee said it was a ‘sustained’ and ‘repeated’ incident, aggravated by the defendant seeking out the receptionist to assault her again.

Ackerley, of Copeland Avenue, Whitehaven, had pleaded guilty to assault by beating at an earlier hearing. The case was adjourned to await the outcome of a crown court case.

The court heard that Ackerley had been given an ‘intensive’ 22-month suspended sentence order by the crown court for a separate offence of actual bodily harm.  

John Cooper, defending, said: “There’s very significant mental health issues. That’s why the crown court has sentenced her with a suspended sentence.”

Passing sentence, Joshua James, acting chair of the magistrates, said they had considered custody but had stepped back from a custodial sentence. He said the defendant likely wouldn’t have been given a separate penalty for the offence if both cases had been heard together at the crown court.

Ackerley was fined £200 and ordered to pay £300 in compensation to the victim. She must also pay £85 costs and an £80 victim surcharge.