A BID is to be made to dismiss a separate charge of attempted robbery against a man who has already admitted a knifepoint bank raid.

Hugh Lawson Gallon pleaded guilty to the robbery of a bank assistant in Peterlee, during a Durham Crown Court hearing in March.

He is said to gone into the Lloyds TSB branch in Yoden Way armed with a metallic-coloured plastic knife, at about 12.30pm, on Saturday March 7.

He threatened a female staff member before leaving with £890.

The 41-year-old defendant was arrested, drunk in the town centre, less than half-an-hour later.

Apart from the bank offence, Gallon was charged with the theft of the plastic knife, from a nearby discount store, on the same day, which he has also admitted.

But he denies a third charge from the same day - attempted robbery of an assistant at a bargain store, also in Yoden Way.

The Crown said it would consider whether or not to pursue it in the light of the pleas to the other two counts.

But Julie Clemitson, for the prosecution, told a hearing at the court on Friday (May 1), that it has considered the case and a decision has been taken to proceed with the charge.

Kieran Rainey, for Gallon, said that, as a result, the defence would seek to have the charge dismissed on the grounds there is no case to answer.

“He had a roll of foil up his sleeve and only a limited amount was visible.

“In rather peculiar fashion, he approached the assistant and simply asked her to open the till, which she didn’t do, and, so, he left.

“The witness said she did not feel intimidated or threatened, even though he said: ‘Open the till’.

“The robbery at the bank took place in similar fashion, with the only the top of the metallic-coloured knife visible.

“But, in that case, it was enough to convince the assistant.”

Judge Christopher Prince adjourned proceedings for an application to be lodged by the defence to formally have the attempted robbery charge dismissed.

Gallon, of no fixed abode, who is on remand in nearby Durham Prison, will remain in custody until the dismissal application hearing, to be determined by a judge at the court, on Tuesday June 2.