Man admits robbing Hartlepool bank of £15,000 while armed with fake gun and wearing balaclava

Gavin Wilson, 42, robbed Barclays Bank on York Road of over £15,000 after walking in wearing a balaclava, camouflage clothes and carrying an imitation gun just after 10am on Friday, June 12.

He ordered staff to fill bags with cash before being driven away by another man in a car.

Wilson pleaded guilty to charges of robbery, possession of an imitation firearm and possession of a class A drug (cocaine) when he appeared at Teesside Crown Court on Monday, July 13.

Lawyers for co-accused Owen Faulkner, 49, who is said to have been the driver and is also charged with robbery, have applied to the court to dismiss the case.

He claims he had no knowledge that Wilson was planning or carried out the robbery and was only giving him a lift.

Wilson will be sentenced after the hearing or possible trial for Faulkner is concluded.

Martin Scarborough, appearing for Wilson, of Pinero Grove, Hartlepool, conceded his client’s role carries a sentence of eight years prison.

Mr Scarborough said: “I can indicate I will be saying whilst this was an unprofessional robbery, it's at the top end of that category.”

Judge Deborah Sherwin said there may be some argument over the level of how unprofessional it was including the fact Wilson wore a balaclava.

When both defendants appeared at the magistrates court last month, prosecutor Alan Davison said a car was seen on CCTV and Wilson went into the bank and ordered staff to fill bags with money.

Faulkner, of Jameson Road, Hartlepool, has not yet entered a plea to the robbery.

On Monday, July 13, prosecutor Jenny Haigh said the crown was looking carefully at Faulkner’s position.

Remanding Wilson in custody Judge Sherwin said: “You have done the best you can to maximise any mitigation by pleading guilty at the earliest opportunity.

"I have made it clear you are looking at a substantial sentence.”

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