Hotel owner who had room emptied accuses police of 'protecting criminals'

27 August 2023 , 13:43

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Natalie Newton reversed her decision to remove the post slamming the guests (Image: Facebook)

An angry owner whose room was ransacked has refused to comply with a police request to remove online footage of alleged thieves raiding her hotel 'because it's causing them distress'.

Natalie Newton posted her CCTV images of the couple leaving the Dolphin Hotel in Pembroke Dock, Wales, last week after accusing them of making off with almost everything inside, even a TV remote control. She claims crooks stole hundreds of pounds worth of items included two white bath towels, lamps, a coffee container, a charging tower, an electric fan and a clock radio.

Police are questioning 43-year-old beautician Martine Rendell and a man, whose identity is currently unknown but is understood to be her boyfriend, after finding her bank card had been used to check in. But after sharing images in the aftermath, the businesswoman claims she was approached by officers who appealed for her to remove her post from Facebook.

The couple made multiple trips between their room and the car, carrying heavy bags (WALES NEWS SERVICE)

She did briefly observe their request before having a re-think, re-uploading the photos and accusing the force of protecting criminals. Natalie told The Mirror she didn't do it to be spiteful but took the measure because she is unhappy about how the situation has been handled. Dyfed-Powys Police have been contacted for comment.

The owner explained: "They asked me to remove my Facebook post as they had found them and said it was causing them distress and not helping their investigation. I did remove the post as they asked, but now I am no longer working with them, I've put it back up. Police are protecting criminals and disregarding honest, hardworking and law-abiding citizens. My son has his car stolen four weeks ago, and didn't care about that, either.

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"I originally doubted if I should post what happened but I just wanted to warn others I never expected it to go this far and have been reassured by the public that it was the correct thing to do. They are all in support of a small business I'm overwhelmed with the amount of support that we are getting.

Police are still quizzing beautician Martine Rendell (Instagram)

Two hotel guests stripped a room of everything possible (WALES NEWS SERVICE)

"There has obviously been lots of comments on the post with support, but I have also had text messages from locals. I've received emails from all over the UK with support, people are inboxing our Facebook page. I've even started to receive phone calls to the business from the general public apologising for what's happened! I'm so grateful for all the feedback and support."

Natalie, 43, said the guests were “super friendly” when checking into the £80-a-night room leaving her unsuspecting. It came as a huge shock, she said, when staff found the room had been cleared of its contents. She took to social media slamming them and wrote on facebook: “This woman and her partner booked a room with us for one Saturday night and literally stole all the contents from the room. Shame on you!”

The pair made multiple trips to the car from the hotel carrying large bags packed full of stuff - which appear to have been the hotel’s stolen goods - even including the room’s tea bags. With a big smile towards the CCTV, the couple left for good, with what is believed to be at least £200 worth of hotel items. They had no luggage when they checked in.

The owner of the Dolphin Hotel and Restaurant was shocked by a police request (Google Maps)

Pictures show the couple seeming entirely unperturbed by the CCTV cameras watching them. It is as yet unknown whether they deny the allegation or not. There has been no public statement by the couple on social media. Dyfed-Powys Police said: "We have received a report of theft from a room at the Dolphin Hotel, Pembroke Dock, on Saturday, 19 August. We are investigating the incident."

Natalie and her partner took over The Dolphin Hotel from her parents five years ago, who had run the business since 1999. The ten-bedroom hotel had a transformation and re-brand in 2019, turning the former B&B and bar into a hotel and restaurant. She explained that she and her partner continued to operate as best as they could during the pandemic. However, trade still isn't as busy as pre-Covid levels and with "prices going up", this was an unnecessary financial loss.

CCTV images of the guests were uploaded to facebook (WALES NEWS SERVICE)

The owner went on: "I couldn’t let that room out the next day because it was so empty. I wasn’t in the position to rally around and replace all the goods that had been taken. That cost me another £80 because I couldn’t rent the room out. People don’t think of stuff like that - that’s the price on top of what I’ve got to spend now to replace what was in there too, I’m at a big loss really."

She explained that the couple booked via booking.com and seemed friendly and both had a Welsh accent. She added: "CCTV shows them walking in with a small handbag and when the man left, he had a big bag - he made two trips to the room." Natalie felt that their actions were "cheeky", adding: "Everyone is struggling and why should they get away with it? "This is a family-run business and I’m trying to keep my head above water. I employ local people and family members."

Sam Elliott-Gibbs