A MAN who attempted to rob a bank in Llandudno and threatened to shoot a cashier at the premises has been jailed.

Liam Jones, 27, of Maes Derw, Llandudno Junction, was sentenced to a year’s imprisonment at Mold Crown Court today (October 25).

He had previously admitted a charge of attempted robbery.

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Prosecuting, Ember-Jade Wong told the court that, on February 16, 2022, Karen Starr was working at Barclays’ Llandudno bank on Mostyn Street, protected by a glass screen.

At 12.45pm, Jones, with a hood pulled over his head, a mask covering his face, and carrying a bag, passed a note to Ms Starr, which read: “Give me all your money or I’ll shoot you”.

Ms Starr pressed a button to alert her colleagues, before asking Jones if he was being serious.

“Just give me the money or I’ll shoot you,” he replied, keeping his right hand in a pocket as if he was holding a gun.

The bank manager spoke to Jones from around a corner, while the defendant knocked on the glass screen at the counter.

Ms Starr could tell Jones was not carrying a gun as it would not have fitted in his pocket.

All staff were sent down to a “safe room” downstairs at the bank, and police were informed.

When Ms Starr told Jones that she needed water, he told her to “stay where she was,” but she went to the “safe room” nonetheless.

A colleague then started to speak to Jones, recording the conversation on a mobile phone.

He was asked to wait, but refused to, and ordered that Ms Starr returns or “someone dies”.

When officers arrived, they detained Jones, approaching him with tasers.

In his police interview, Jones gave no comment, except when he was asked what had happened.

“I can’t really remember, to be honest with you,” was his reply.

Defending Jones, who had seven previous convictions for nine offences, Simon Rogers asked for a suspended custodial sentence for his client.

Mr Rogers said: “It may be that having a suspended sentence would act as a deterrent to him re-offending in any way, and potentially trying to find some stability in his life.”

Jones appeared in court via videolink from HMP Berwyn, after he was remanded in custody last month following a breach of his bail conditions.

There has been a “marked change” about Jones, Mr Rogers said, adding that his client suffers from mental health issues.

The defendant has been diagnosed with schizophrenia - albeit he contests this – while Mr Rogers said his cannabis use may have exacerbated his mental health problems.

Sentencing, Judge Rhys Rowlands described this as an “odd offence”, and Jones’ attack as “planned” but “unsophisticated”.

He said Ms Starr showed “commendable courage”, and that police officers arrived at the bank with “commendable speed”.

Judge Rowlands did not currently deem Jones to have a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.

“I don’t understand why it took a year for the police and the Crown Prosecution Service to decide to prosecute you,” Judge Rowlands added.

“It’s an entirely straightforward case, in terms of whether or not the offence had been committed.”

Jones will pay a statutory surcharge upon his release from prison.

Barclays were approached by the Pioneer but declined to comment.