A BLUNDERING robber tried to hold up a Newport hotel with a water pistol - and then rang 999 to tell police: 'I've done something stupid'.

Daniel Jones, 37, was jailed for for walking into the reception of the Travelodge with the blue water pistol in his pocket, A court heard he handed the petrified hotel receptionist a note that read "I've got a gun, give me the money".

But she had no idea the gun was a blue child's plastic water pistol. Prosecutor Ian Kolvin said: "His right hand was in his pocket and it was pointing out to make it look like there was something there.

"He passed her a small note which said: "I've got a gun, give me the money.".

"She said that her stomach dropped and her heart was in her mouth because for a moment she thought he was going to shoot her."

Cardiff Crown Court heard that the quick thinking worker told Jones that the money was kept in a back room and that she would go and get it.

She then locked herself and other colleagues safely in a back room of the Travelodge hotel in Newport, and rang the police.

The court was shown CCTV footage showing Jones then leaving the reception empty handed - and realised he was on camera.

Mr Kolvin said: "He himself called 999 and told police 'I've done something stupid'.

"Ten minutes after walking into the Travelodge he was arrested, and he had a blue plastic water pistol and the note he handed over to her."

Jones, of Taliesin, Cwmbran, pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and possession of an imitation firearm.

He was jailed for three and a half years.

Recorder of Cardiff Eleri Rees said: "You were clearly using your hand to indicate you had a an object in your coat and said that you had a gun.

"The victim was petrified. But she took sensible action and retreated and made sure colleagues were safe before calling the police."