A guest house owner who feared for his life after being tied up, threatened with a knife and robbed, has spoken for the first time about his ordeal.

Balbir Singh Mahil, 55, was alone at The Regent Guest House, Maidstone Road, Chatham, in February hen sapper Kural Mashoko called on the pretence of booking a room.

Mashoko, 24, was jailed for four-and-a-half years at Maidstone Crown Court on Thursday after admitting robbery, false imprisonment and assault with intent to resist arrest.

Mr Mahil, had run the 10-room detached guest house for about 20 years.

Mr Mahil, in a statement read out in court, said the terrifying experience had ruined his life and left him clinically depressed and unable to sleep.

He had hoped last week’s hearing would help him take a step towards recovery but instead it has left him stunned.

Speaking exclusively to the Medway Messenger Mr Mahil said the sentence failed to take account of the trauma he suffered at Mashoko’s hands.

He said: “He’ll probably serve just two years for what I think was a very serious crime.

“He could have killed me – there was no doubt about it. I’m not happy with the sentence at all.

See Monday's print edition of the Medway Messenger for full interview