A 24-YEAR-OLD man lost his temper in a Carlisle hotel after staff told him he would lose the deposit he paid for his room.

Mathew Craig Graham went to check out from his room at the Ibis on Botchergate when staff who were checking it found that Graham’s room smelt of smoke, meaning he would not be eligible to get his deposit back.

Adrian Hollamby, prosecuting, told the court how Graham, of Raiselands Croft, Penrith, paid £60 for his room in cash on May 30.

Explaining what happened next, Mr Hollamby said: “The following day he went to check out and a member of staff at the hotel had checked his room and realised someone had been smoking in the room.

“When she returned she informed fellow staff members, who told Mr Graham he would not be able to get his deposit back because of the smell of smoke, as they would be unable to use the room again that day.

“He began to ask for his deposit back and became angry, swinging at a laptop, which he knocked onto the floor, along with a mobile.”

Mr Hollamby added that Graham has anger issues and that he knocked the laptop and phone onto the floor due to losing his temper. “He accepted he shouldn’t have done it and is to undertake anger management courses,” continued Mr Hollamby.

The magistrates heard that Graham is due to start the anger management classes in March and were also told about his difficulties with mental health and anxiety.

Ant Wilson, defending said: “He has been very apologetic – he has phoned the hotel and apologised to them. He should get credit for that.

“He has been under a lot of stress due to a custody issue with his ex-partner, which he says has been messing with his head.

“He has taken advice from his doctor and is happy to work with probation to deal with the problems he has got.

“This wasn’t planned, he lost his temper.

“He is remorseful and is happy to pay for the damage and has told the hotel that.”

Sentencing, presiding magistrate Roger Birkett said: “If you keep out of trouble for the next 12 months you will not hear about this again.”

Graham was given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £1,224 in compensation to the Ibis hotel.