A violent hotel guest has been jailed after he admitted assaulting a woman and smashing up a room in Baldock town centre.

Peter Walsh, of Mons Avenue in Baldock, was handed a 10-week prison sentence when he appeared at St Albans Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

Magistrates heard that the 31-year-old beat a woman and damaged her tablet computer in a room at the Templars Hotel in the High Street on July 1.

He also damaged a mirror and a picture belonging to the hotel.

Walsh, who was already serving a community sentence imposed in March for a driving offence, pleaded guilty having previously indicated a not guilty plea. He also admitted breaching his community order.

Walsh was given eight weeks behind bars for the offences committed at the hotel, and two weeks for the driving offence.

He has also been ordered to pay £700, including £100 compensation to the hotel, £400 to his victim, a £115 victim surcharge and £85 in costs.