British newly-weds jailed for stealing from hotel

A newly-wed couple in Britain were caught red-handed while trying to flee with slippers, dressing gowns, pillows and even wall paintings from their hotel room in their bags.

A court heard Laura Barnett, 25, and new husband Christopher, 38, from South Waleshad checked into the Grade II-listed Morgans Hotel in Swansea, South Wales, for a romantic break, the Daily Mail reported Friday. But as they tried to checked out of the 90 pounds-a-night Osprey suite, staff discovered they had left the room almost bare.

They fled with slippers, dressing gowns, Egyptian linen sheets, pillows, everything in the minibar, bedside telephone and the flat-screen television. The couple had passed the TV through a window then loaded up their luggage with rest of their five-star plunder.

The poor couple was, however, caught when Barnett argued the bill for a pay-per-view movie - saying the room did not have a television.

Prosecutor Sharon Anderson said: "The couple checked in before going on a night out in Swansea city centre.

"They returned at 6.40 a.m. after drinking heavily. At 9 a.m. CCTV recorded Laura Barnett leaving the hotel carrying a large bag. That bag contained linen, dressing gowns, the contents of the minibar, a telephone and even pictures from the walls of the room."

The couple's plan, however, came undone when Christopher Barnett went to reception - and complained about items on his bill about pay-per-view TV.

Police were called and the couple was arrested in the reception.

While Christopher was awarded 16 weeks jail term, his wife Laura received a community order of 12 months besides she must compete 80 hours unpaid work.