Hotel killer arrested before woman's death - inquest

Marta Elena Vento was killed while she was working alone at a Travelodge hotel

A homeless man was arrested and released by police less than a week before he killed a hotel worker during a psychotic episode, an inquest has heard.

Stephen Cole, 32, launched a 42-minute attack on Marta Elena Vento, 27, who was on a solo night shift at the Travelodge in Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, on 9 December 2020.

Five days earlier, he was arrested for attacking guests and security guards at another hotel, the Dorset coroner heard.

Cole told police he had run out of his antipsychotic medication, but he was not deemed to pose a serious risk to others and was released after being charged, the inquest was told.

Ms Elena Vento died after being punched, kicked and attacked with hair clippers on her second shift at the Travelodge, where Cole was staying.

In 2021, he pleaded guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility and was given an indefinite hospital order.

Stephen Cole was released by police four days before the fatal attack

On 4 December, police were called to a reported fight at the Russell Court Hotel in Bournemouth, where homeless people were staying, the inquest heard.

Cole had attacked two residents, locked himself in his room and banged on the door and walls, the coroner was told.

The hotel guest, who had a large bald patch from pulling out his own hair, told police he had run out of olanzapine, an antipsychotic drug, it was heard.

He was arrested and charged with a public order offence.

Giving evidence, Custody Sergeant Richard Stroud said he was not told by the arresting officers about Cole's lack of medication.

However, he said it would not have made any difference to his decision to release him on unconditional bail.

He told the coroner: "Mr Cole was brought up to my desk... He wasn't presenting as psychotic. I had no concerns for his well-being."

A health worker, assisting Dorset Police, recorded: "Stephen may require further input from CJLD [mental health experts], a decision practitioner can make in the morning."

However, Cole was bailed at 01:20 GMT on 5 December, before the practitioner's shift started, the inquest heard.

The hotel worker's death led to changes at Winchester Prison, it was heard

Previously, the inquest was told Cole was released from HMP Winchester on 27 October 2020 with a four-week supply of olanzapine.

A prison psychiatrist had noted: "His risk to others will have to be closely monitored as he has assaulted prisoners and staff in an unprovoked manner."

Prison healthcare contractor PPG previously told the coroner it had not alerted Cole's former GP about his release or supported his application for council housing.

In the light of Ms Elena Vento's death, HMP Winchester had started to screen remand prisoners to consider whether they might pose a future danger, the inquest heard.

Ms Elena Vento's parents, from Valencia, Spain, are following the six-week Bournemouth inquest by video link.

In a statement before the hearing, they said: "Now we desperately need answers about how such a brutal assault can have happened and whether it could have been prevented."