Hartlepool Barclays bank robber who held staff and customers at gunpoint gets jailed for nine years

Gavin David Wilson, 42, wore a balaclava and full camouflage suit, when he entered Barclays bank in York Road at 10am on Friday, June 12, and pointed the replica weapon at their heads.

He got away with £15,000 in what a judge said was a professionally planned robbery.

Wilson, of Pinero Grove, was sentenced by Teesside Crown Court on Tuesday, October 27, after the case was previously adjourned to give him chance to return the money.

The court heard that £6,110 was left anonymously at the offices of Wilson’s lawyer Martin Scarborough this week which has been handed to the police.

Prosecutor Robin Patton previously told the court: "He ordered people in the premises to get to the ground.

"It’s quite plain that he was in fact pointing the gun at people’s heads as he marched around the bank giving orders to people.”

Wilson ordered a female member of staff to fill his bag with £20 and £50 notes.

Staff were left terrified by the crime and thought they may be killed.

Judge Howard Crowson said: “It is unsurprising that your victims treated that [gun] as a lethal weapon, and it’s clear that those in the bank feared they may be shot.

"Indeed that was your intention. You left customers and bank staff terrified and shaken.”

Wilson enlisted an innocent neighbour, who was also initially charged with the robbery, to give him a lift to the bank.

The gun, which was later found partially burned, turned out to be an airgun.

Wilson admitted robbery, possessing an imitation firearm and possessing a small amount of cocaine.

It was said in mitigation he had got into debt due to the costs of his mother’s funeral and gambling.

Mr Scarborough, defending, said: "Mr Wilson has acted in good faith to right the wrong and return all of the money, albeit it would appear only part of that money has been returned.”

DC Jodi Mallon from Hartlepool CID thanked everyone who assisted the investigation adding: "This was a terrifying incident for the victims and something that I would imagine will stay with them for the rest of their lives.”

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