Gold-masked man who pointed firearm at hotel is jailed

A 31-year-old man who wore a gold-mask as he abused hotel staff and then pointed a firearm at the building has been jailed.

On September 17, 2023, Romans Vodcics, previously of Northampton Road, Wellingborough, was staying at The Raven Hotel in Rockingham Road, Corby.

However, at about midday that day, Vodcics started abusing staff members and smoking inside the building, leading the manager to ask him to retrieve his belongings from his room and leave.

However, when he came out of the room, he was wearing a gold mask and carrying a firearm that looked like a viable handgun.

He walked past the bar before exiting the building and pointed the firearm at the hotel window before driving off.

Armed police were deployed to the scene and Vodcics was arrested, failing to provide a specimen of breath when asked to by officers.

The weapon turned out to be an imitation firearm.

Later that day in his cell, Vodcics destroyed a CCTV camera, causing damage of over £1300.

He was charged with one count of possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, one count of failing to provide a breath test, and one count of criminal damage.

After pleading guilty to the offences at Northampton Crown Court this week (March 11), Vodcics was sentenced to one year and two months in prison.

Lead investigator - Detective Constable Liberty Luck said: “This was a really terrifying incident for the staff at the hotel so I am really pleased that Vodcics has been sent to prison as a result.

“The firearm in question looked real and it goes to show that even if it turns out not to be, carrying one in this manner with an intention to cause fear, will lead to being sent to prison.

“Tackling serious violence is a matter of priority for Northamptonshire Police and we will continue working hard to ensure more people like Romans Vodcics are brought to justice and put behind bars.”