A MAN with special educational needs, who robbed a woman of £30 she had just withdrawn from a cash machine, has been “exceptionally” spared a prison sentence.

Shayne Sowerby used his large physical frame to relieve the diminutive 63-year-old of the money at the Barclays Bank ATM, in Beveridge Way, Newton Aycliffe, at 12.30pm on March 1.

Durham Crown Court heard he put his arm over her shoulder to grab the money.

Victoria Lamballe, prosecuting, said the woman tried to take hold of his arm, but lost her balance after contact with Sowerby’s elbow.

Her cries for help led to members of the public nearby detaining Sowerby, who immediately apologised and made no attempt to escape.

Sowerby repeated his apologies to police and, when charged, said: “I’m very sorry for what I have done. I hope she’s alright.”

In her victim statement, read to the court, the woman said although physically unhurt, she almost fainted and does not now feel safe going into the town centre.

The 45-year-old defendant, who lives in supported accommodation in Redworth Road, Shildon, admitted robbery and burglary of a Spar shop in West Auckland, taking cigarettes from behind the counter, on August 26.

A psychiatric report, prepared for the court, outlined his learning difficulties.

Andrew Finlay, mitigating, said while there was a need to protect the public by way of sentence, it had to be balanced by the defendant’s “unique personal circumstances,” and his remorse.

“He decided he wanted money for drink and cigarettes and did this on the spur of the moment in broad daylight, indicating his level of mental function, which was picked up by members of the public detaining him.”

Recorder Nicholas Lumley QC said while such offences would normally be met with prison sentences, in this unique case, given the defendant’s issues, he would “draw back” from custody and impose a two-year community order with 30 probation-led activity days.

Sowerby, who has daily supervision from 9am to 3pm, was also made subject of a year-long electronically-monitored 5pm to 9am home curfew, and must pay his victim £250 compensation.

Recorder Lumley commended Michael Gowland, the first passer-by to detain Sowerby, awarding him £100 from public funds.