Risk posed by Travelodge killer unknown to hotel

A pre-inquest review into the beating to death of a hotel receptionist has heard her employer had no information about her attacker's "violent past" or the threat he posed to women.

Marta Elena Vento, 27, was punched and kicked repeatedly by a guest for 42 minutes, while working alone in the lobby of the Travelodge in Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, on 9 December 2020.

Her killer, Stephen Cole, 32, was suffering from psychosis and is now detained in hospital indefinitely.

Miss Elena Vento's family wanted the scope of the inquest into her death to be widened but the coroner disagreed.

Miss Elena Vento was Spanish and her father listened into the hearing online from Spain, with the assistance of an interpreter.

The review heard, although Travelodge staff had observed Stephen Cole "acting strangely", the hotel chain would not have accepted his booking had it known of the dangers he presented.

It also emerged Cole had been released from prison six weeks prior to the murder and at the time of the killing he was being investigated by police for assaults which occurred while inside HMP Winchester.

Prison clinicians had wanted to refer him to a psychiatric intensive care unit, but no space was available.

With the help of prescribed medication Mr Cole then recovered and was assessed as fit for release from prison on 27 October.

But when his one-month supply of tablets ran out he had no prescription to get more and his mental health deteriorated.

Legal counsel for Miss Elena Vento's family argued the scope of the inquest should be widened to ensure it could fully investigate whether her death was "preventable".

But the coroner, Rachel Griffin, said relevant information would be "touched upon" during general background information about Mr Cole, while stressing the scope would "remain under review".

She appreciated her decision for the inquest to be heard without a jury would be a "disappointment" to Miss Elena Vento's family.

The six week long hearing is due to open on 20 January 2025.

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