Would-be robber has sentence hearing put back

Ben Jackson, who has no previous convictions, appeared before Judge Peter Benson at Bradford Crown Court this morning (friday), but his case could not go ahead because of a ‘’misunderstanding’’ over the preparation of a report.

The judge was told by Jackson’s barrister Soheil Khan that when a probation officer visited prison to complete the pre-sentence report a prison officer said he could not be seen because he was taking part in an educational course.

Jackson, 28, of Avison Road, Huddersfield, has already pleaded guilty to attempting to rob Anthony Spink in June.

At an early hearing at Bradford Crown Court 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.

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.

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.

After reading a psychologist’s report about Jackson Judge Benson said the case should be adjourned for the pre-sentence report to be completed and he remanded Jackson back into custody until Friday, November 15.