Man faces jail following attempted robbery

Ben Jackson, who has no previous convictions, appeared before Judge Peter Benson this morning (Thursday) via a video link to Leeds Prison where he is currently remanded in custody.

Jackson, of Avison Road, Huddersfield, was making his first appearance before the Bradford Crown Court since being charged with the offence and his barrister Soheil Khan told the judge that he would be pleading guilty.

The 28-year-old formally entered a guilty plea to attempting to rob Anthony Spink when the offence was put to him by the clerk.

Mr Khan said Jackson was pleading guilty on the basis that on June 7 - when he committed the offence - his client was feeling suicidal tendencies and that was why had a knife with him.

Mr Khan asked for Jackson’s sentence hearing to be adjourned for six weeks so that an expert’s report from a psychologist could be obtained.

The court heard that Jackson had been seen outside the Towngate premises for several hours on the day of the offence and Judge Benson noted that witnesses had observed him behaving in an odd fashion.

He agreed to an adjournment of the case until October 3, but told Jackson he had admitted a serious offence and a custodial sentence was inevitable.

It was reported following the incident that the would-be robber had struggled with a male member of staff who suffered a small cut to his hand.

The intruder had then fled the scene empty-handed.