Bank robbery sentencing adjourned so police can get impact statements on 11 people in the York Road Barclays at the time

Barclays Bank at the junction of York Road and Park Road Hartlepool. Picture by FRANK REID

The sentencing of gunman Gavin Wilson, 42, was put off until September 28 for police to take Victim Impact statements from the 11 staff and customers who were in the Hartlepool Barclays on June 12 when he stole a reported £15,000.

Prosecutor Robin Patton told the judge at Teesside Crown Court that detectives had taken statements from three people but another eight had to be asked about the harm that they had suffered.

Mr Patton said that they were entitled to be heard about the effects of the raid by Wilson with an imitation handgun inside the bank in York Road, Hartlepool.

He said that the statements would be forwarded to the judge and to defence lawyer Martin Scarborough who will discuss them with Wilson over a videolink conference in Durham Prison.

Mr Patton, who appeared over a Cloud Video link, told Judge Howard Crowson:”We need to be able to say that we have taken their views and tell you of the harm that they have suffered.

”The police have so far been able to take Victim Impact statements from only three of them.”

He said that there was CCTV footage of the robbery which the Prosecution and the judge had seen.

Judge Crowson told Wilson who appeared over a videolink from the Durham Prison studio:”What we do want to know it’s how this has affected the people who were in the bank.

”It is important that we are told the way that people reacted to this and how much harm you have caused by your crime.”

Defence lawyer Martin Scarborough, said that he assured Wilson that they would have a video conference to discuss the statements before the next sentencing hearing three weeks on Monday.

Wilson of Pinero Grove, Hartlepool, has pleaded guilty to the robbery on June 12 of money.

He also admitted possession of an imitation firearm at the time of committing the offence of robbery a Umaresk Colt Defender .177 BB gas-powered pistol, and also possession of cocaine a Class A drug.

His custody was extended.

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