The victim of a locker theft at a luxury Lake District Hotel and Spa has said he feels 'let down' by the experience, and that the culprit must be caught before he strikes again.

Kristian Gowland, a firefighter living in Gateshead, stayed at the Daffodil Hotel and Spa with his partner on 5 January this year, and described how what should have been a well-earned break turned into a nightmare: "My partner Natalie is an intensive care nurse in Sunderland, so she's had a hell of a couple of years with Covid.

"It was my birthday earlier this year, so she said we need a break, and saved up.

"We got there early, and used the spa at the hotel before checking in to our room.

"There was one other guy in the locker room, which I thought nothing of, and after getting out the pool, my locker code wouldn't work, so reception gave me a key.

"I realised my jeans had gone, with my car keys, wallet and phone.

"It slowly dawned on me that I'd been robbed.

Police were called, and it became apparent to Mr Gowland that upon reviewing CCTV footage, the man's face was the same as a 2020 locker theft police appeal.

"He had already registered the card to another phone, and attempted four transactions on my card - luckily I only had £170 in my bank - he picked the wrong person to rob in a posh hotel!

"The hotel was lovely, but I had to ask for a refund, which they gave (£258), and we would love to go back to experience the hotel properly, so asked for 50% off another stay, but was refused.

"My phone had photos of my daughter, memories that I won't get back - the phone was worth about £600 and wasn't covered by the hotel's insurance, so that's gone."

"I'm not a free-loader, but my birthday was ruined, Natalie was crying, and there was a knock-on effect of having to leave my car there for a week and come back.

"Mainly I just want this person to be stopped, but I've had no communication from the hotel or the police."

A spokesperson for the Daffodil Hotel and Spa said: "We were very sorry for the unfortunate event that happened during Mr Gowland’s stay with us.

"After reporting this at Reception, Mr Gowland and his wife were offered complimentary drinks whilst our team assisted the police.

"Mr Gowland was then offered a return complimentary visit which was declined, and so we refunded the cost of his bed and breakfast stay with us and also offered the couple a complimentary dinner in our restaurant, of which they accepted both.

"We also paid for the new key to be brought to the hotel at a cost of £50 and assisted with keeping the vehicle on site until it could be collected around one week later.

"We feel our level of service offered to Mr Gowland was of usual luxury Daffodil standard.

"Whilst we are very sorry for the unfortunate incident that was out of our control, the issue was dealt with personally by our Head of Operations both swiftly and professionally."

Police have appealed for witnesses, and are awaiting clearance to release the image.