Horror as woman wakes up to man attacking her after Travelodge staff gave him her room key | UK | News
A woman has criticized Travelodge for “failing” her after hotel staff gave her room key to a man who sexually assaulted her in bed, leading to the man being jailed for seven-and-a-half years. The victim, who is now in his 30s and cannot be named for legal reasons, woke up in terror in December 2022 to Kyran Smith attacking him at the Maidenhead branch.
The two had attended the same party earlier that night, but he retired to his room alone around 2 a.m.; This was the first time he was alone in the hotel. Smith, 29, of Staines, lied to reception staff, claiming to be her boyfriend, and made a copy of her key card. He entered her locked room and attacked her while she was sleeping. After dressing, he ran away, returning the key before retreating to his own room.
The victim told the BBC: “I feel like they let me down. It makes me even more angry that they didn’t say, ‘OK yeah we did this wrong’. Instead they put the blame aside.”
He criticized the hotel’s security lapses, emphasizing that staff should never grant access without verification. He said: “If I checked in on my own and the room reservation was for me alone, why do you think it’s okay to let someone in at midnight while I’m sleeping?
“At least wake me up or call the room or come to the room. Anything is better than giving someone a key card.”
The woman disputed Travelodge’s claim that she had passed security checks by giving Smith’s name and showing his text messages.
She said: “The only thing he knew about me was my name. They said he could show them text messages, but I didn’t have his phone number and he didn’t have mine.”
He recalled his confusion when he woke up: “I double-checked to see if I had locked the door. I couldn’t figure out how I was in my room because I did everything I thought was right when you stay in a hotel.”
He reported the attack to employees and acquaintances the next morning. Smith was arrested and found guilty of sexual assault and trespass with intent to commit a sexual offense following a four-day trial at Reading Crown Court in November 2025.
He was sentenced to seven years and six months in prison on January 23, 2026.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Arshid Ali said: “I welcome the sentence, which reflects the seriousness of the offense and the dangerous nature of the defendant. Thames Valley Police treats all sexual offenses, particularly those committed against women, with the utmost seriousness.”
Travelodge offered the victim a £30 refund, which he described as “very insulting; it would have been better if they hadn’t offered it”. The chain admitted the offer was “inappropriate” but insisted staff followed procedures correctly. The statement said: “The safety and security of our guests is our priority… Our hotel team followed correct security procedures at the time of the incident.”
The victim called on Travelodge to overhaul policies to prevent similar nightmares. Thames Valley Police encouraged victims to report crimes on 101 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Express.co.uk has contacted Travelodge for comment.
