Toy gun threat at Rugeley bank was cry for help, court is told
A man armed with a machete pointed a pink-barrelled toy gun to the head of a bank worker – before being wrestled to the ground by members of the public.
But customer Jacqueline Griffiths told Gary Smith: "Don't be silly," Stafford Crown Court heard.
Smith's crimes at the Barclays branch, in Brooks Square, Rugeley, were designed to get himself arrested or shot by the police during the incident in February. But when he put the gun to the head of Ian Hodgson, he was told to put it away.
Mrs Griffiths had carried on with her business at the counter, even when Smith brandished a machete.
Miss Heather Chamberlain, prosecuting, said Smith stood by the window as members of the public took photographs of him. Eventually, a group of onlookers overpowered and detained him until police arrived. Smith, aged 49, of no fixed address, was jailed for a total of 40 months after admitting possessing an imitation firearm, possessing a machete and affray.
Judge John Wait told him: "You represent a real risk, because you are not rational and in that frame of mind and in drink you could have caused serious injury."
The court heard Smith had just been released from jail and gone on a binge, drinking 3.5 litres of cider before buying the machete and toy.
He told police it was all a cry for help as he was homeless. Mr Mark Hemming, defending, said: "It was a cry for help, he was homeless and felt extremely helpless. He is extremely remorseful, in particular for the two people in the bank at the time.
"In respect of the machete, one can only imagine the fear. It must have been a fearful time for everybody."
