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`Cry for help' man jailed for robbery

From the Echo, first published Saturday 13th Mar 2004.

A BOURNEMOUTH man who pleaded with a judge to jail him for life was yesterday sent to prison for 18 months.

Schizophrenic Frank Money, 52, of Grantley Road, admitted affray on November 26 last year.

Bournemouth Crown Court heard how Money had entered the HSBC bank at Poole High Street and handed over a "barely legible" note to a cashier, threatening robbery.

When the member of staff noticed a 14-inch axe, wrapped in plastic, on the counter Money said: "This is a cry for help."

The manager was alerted and Money obliged when he was asked to move away from the counter.

The branch was closed for 15 minutes and he sat on a sofa until police arrived. Money later admitted buying the axe and told officers it was a cry for help.

Defending Money, Tim Bradbury said: "Mr Money wishes to have a prison sentence. He would like life imprisonment. He wishes to be in prison and regards himself as being institutionalised.

"Having been on medication for a number of years and been in hospital many times he has had enough of that and no longer wants treatment."

Sentencing Money, Judge Roger Jarvis said he had no option but to jail Money. But he added that he hoped Money could soon be transferred to "a more appropriate place."

"You were a man who didn't present the threat that at first you seemed to present. You are an ill man," he added.

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