49-year-old who threatened Cambridge hotel over asylum seekers sentenced

A Longstanton man who phoned a Cambridge hotel to threaten asylum seekers has been handed a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order.

Robert Shortman, 49, used a withheld number to call the hotel at about 5pm on 4 August and asked if it was housing asylum seekers.

During the 36-second call, Shortman expressed his disgust that the premises were housing “immigrants” and told the staff member to “be ready, we’ll be coming for them”.

Shortman’s call came during the period of national riots in which anti-immigration protests and demonstrations took place across the UK, many of which were violent.

The distressed staff member immediately sent a panicked message to colleagues explaining what had happened.

Police were called and, despite Shortman using a withheld number, the call was traced to him and he was later arrested at his home.

In interview, Shortman admitted phoning the hotel and talking about housing asylum seekers, but claimed he had no intention of going there, nor did he want to scare anyone.

Shortman, of Stevensons Road, pleaded not guilty to sending communications threatening death or serious harm but was found guilty after a trial.

He was handed a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order banning him from visiting or contacting the hotel at Peterborough Crown Court on Tuesday (15 October).

PC Ryan Curtis, who investigated, said: “Given the widespread disorder across the country, the call Shortman made would have been very distressing for staff at the hotel.

“They would have had no idea whether he was going to follow up on his threats and it would have only added to the climate of fear at the time.

“If Shortman is found to be in breach of this order, it is an arrestable offence, and we will put him back before the courts.”