A Devon hotelier has been jailed for 22 weeks, for assaulting members of her staff, and a police officer.

Shirley Bothroyd, 59, owner of the seafront Bay Hotel, Teignmouth, Devon since 2013 and formerly a human rights lawyer pleaded guilty to grabbing her chef from behind by her hair, forcing her to the floor and slapping her repeatedly around the face in June this year. Bothroyd also pleaded guilty to using abusive and threatening behaviour towards her receptionist in the same month. She was also charged with offences relating to other staff members, including her hotel manager and assistant manager, and with assaulting a police officer in July. She admitted to being an alcoholic and claimed other serious health problems, including three strokes, skin cancer and fits.

Magistrates at Newton Abbott court described her evidence as “contradictory and implausible” and found her guilty on all charges. As well as the 22 weeks custodial sentence she was also ordered to pay a total of £1235 in compensation to her victims, costs and victim surcharge.

Bothroyd bought the 18 bedroom hotel, originally built for the Earl of Devon in 1859, for £1.75 million in 2013. It was closed by emergency services in July after a fire in the penthouse suite and the collapse of three ceilings.