AN armed bank robber has been given four weeks to tell police where he has stashed the stolen money or face the possibility of a longer prison sentence.

Gavin Wilson robbed Barclays Bank of more than £15,000 after walking in wearing a balaclava, camouflage clothes and carrying an imitation gun.

The 42-year-old ordered staff to put the money a bag he had brought with him before making his getaway from the bank in Hartlepool just after 10am on Friday, June 12.

Teesside Crown Court heard how Wilson had racked up gambling debts before carrying out the robbery but was still in a position to hand over the cash to police.

Wilson’s counsel, Martin Scarborough, said there was some planning before the robbery but it was not a 'sophisticated' raid.

He said: "This has to be a case of high culpability because of the production of the imitation firearm, of course the people in the bank will not have known that it was imitation, they could have thought it was real and they would have feared for their safety and lives."

Wilson, of Pinero Road, Hartlepool, pleaded guilty to robbery and possession of cocaine.

Mr Scarborough said his client accepts that he stole a substantial amount of money is in a position to be able to return the stolen cash.

He added: "Mr Wilson tells me that if the money is returned it will put other people in jeopardy. He tells me that he hopes to be able, with the assistance of the police, to get that money back to the bank.

"It's certainly his intention that the bank is given that money back.

"It has not been spent; it has not been given away but that is the position at this stage and he hopes to get the money back to the bank."

Robin Patton, prosecuting, agreed with the judge's call to start a proceeds of crime act hearing to recover the money.

Judge Howard Crowson said: "One aggravating feature of this robbery is the failure to recover the money."

Mr Scarborough said he had discussed the issue with his client but said he had been 'hindered' by his incarceration and not been able to discuss it with his family.

The judge replied: "I don't think the police will be as hindered as his family, if he could explain how to get the money back, I'm sure they could do it.

"That's why, I'm afraid, that I am not optimistic about this money being recovered."

The judge adjourned sentencing for four weeks to give Wilson the opportunity to reveal to the police where the money has been stashed.

He added: "This is only going to be realistically possible by him telling the police where it is and them recovering it."

l A charge of robbery against Owen Faulkner, who was the driver of the car, had been dismissed by the court at an earlier stage as he was unaware of his friend’s plan.