Man admits destroying Travelodge hotel reception with digger over pay dispute

'He accepts he intended to cause that damage,' man's lawyer tells court

A man drove his digger into a Travelodge after his employers allegedly failed to pay him over the Christmas period, a court has heard.

John Manley admitted driving the vehicle into the front of his hotel in Liverpool Innovation Park on 21 January.

The 35-year-old repeatedly rammed his vehicle into the building, wrecking a construction project on the day it was due to be completed.

“He accepts he intended to cause that damage,” said Brendan Carville, defending.

“There were social problems which caused this offence, notably the failure of his immediate employers to pay him over the Christmas period and asking him to work for nothing on the eve of this offence.

“He has two young children.”

Mr Manley admitted criminal damage at an earlier hearing but had denied damaging property being reckless as to whether life was endangered.

But the father-of-two pleaded guilty to the latter charge before the trial began at Liverpool Crown Court.

Mr Carville said the construction worker was a ”family man”, but conceded the 35-year-old would spend time in prison.

The defence lawyer asked for the sentencing to be adjourned, so a psychiatric report could be prepared.

Mr Manley denied a charge of dangerous driving and Trevor Parry-Jones, prosecuting, said no evidence would be offered in relation to the charge.

The 35-year-old’s digger rampage was caught on camera and the footage was widely shared on social media.

Merseyside Police were called to the hotel shortly after 3pm on 21 January.

A spokesperson said the driver left the vehicle and made off on foot after destroying the front of the hotel.

One man at the scene experienced eye irritation because of exposure to diesel following the incident.

He was treated at the scene.

Mr Manley was arrested in June. He has been remanded in custody until a sentencing hearing scheduled for 1 November.

Additional reporting by agencies