A mechanic who led a champagne lifestyle in hotels around Bristol before walking out without paying a penny has been jailed for almost three years.

James Hyett wanted to keep up appearances as a successful businessman even though money owed to him left him struggling, Bristol Crown Court was told.

In a mini-crime spree with his partner he racked up thousands of pounds on magnums of champagne and flowers in exclusive venues over five nights in March.

Hyett, 27, of Hallard Road, Knowle, pleaded guilty to two charges of false representation, making off without payment, theft of a car, failing to surrender to bail and driving without the proper licence or insurance. He asked for three further offences to be considered.

Jailing him for 34 months, the recorder Barry Cotter QC told him: "I sentence you for a spree of dishonesty in the spring of 2009.

"This was persistent, deliberate and a brief life of considerable extravagance at the cost of others, targeting exclusive hotels." 

Mark Worsley, prosecuting, said after Hyett's car was in a crash he made arrangements for a courtesy Mercedes A Class car to be delivered to him, which he promptly sold for £2,000 to a Bedminster garage.

He later told police he had tried to raise money to pay off a loan shark.

Mr Worsley said on March 13 Hyett and his girlfriend booked in to the Aztec Hotel, Aztec West, put £40 of drinks on their room tab before leaving without paying a total bill of £234.40.

The court heard £400 worth of items, including a soap dish and dressing gowns, bed throw and leather information folder disappeared with them. Hyett later handed himself in to police, taking with him the information folder, saying he had wanted to give his girlfriend a break but they left at 2am and couldn't find anyone on reception to pay.

On March 16 Hyett, his girlfriend and two children stayed at Calcot Manor near Tetbury, said Mr Worsley, amassing a bill of £3,040 which included spa treatments, champagne and flowers.

Once again, Hyett left without paying and when staff contacted him he said he had forgotten and would return – but didn't.

A week later he notched up a £747 bill with a stay at Lucknam Park Hotel, Bath and left without paying.

Hyett admitted that, also in March, he stayed at the Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel without paying £1,230; The Grange at Winterbourne without paying £139.99; The Marriott, Bristol, without paying £880.

Daniel Woodman, defending, stressed the multiple frauds in the main charges amounted to less than £5,000.

He told the court: "He sought to take out a loan and he went to a loan shark. His problems effectively started there."