KEY POINTS:
A former bank manager who robbed his own bank this year was today jailed for six-and-a-half years.
Three others, including Mark Scott's de facto wife Vanessa, were also handed down jail sentences of between five and five-and-a-half years, when they appeared in North Shore District Court today.
During submissions, Scott's lawyer said he was not a ring leader but Judge Michael Hobbs said he would get more jail time because his crime was a significant breach of the bank's trust.
Ms Scott was jailed for five-and-a-half years and both Richard Murray Simon Cowell and Lewis Benjamin Rata Blackwood-Manukau were each jailed for five years.
The four were convicted of the aggravated robbery of the Bank of New Zealand in Wellsford, north of Auckland, of $130,000 in June.
They were also convicted of kidnapping after two of the bank staff were tied up.
The court was told today Mark Scott left the door open for Cowell and Blackwood-Manukau to carry out the raid.
Outside the court Detective Kevin Blackman said Scott was the manager of the bank and there was no doubt he had masterminded the robbery.
"Mark Scott was behind the whole thing. The boys (Blackwood-Manukau and Cowell) did as they were told and so did Vanessa. Mark definitely was the ringleader in the whole thing."
The four were charged after Scott left the rear door of the bank open on June 20. Cowell and Blackwood-Manukau, dressed in white overalls and carrying fillet knives and two bottles of petrol, entered the bank.
After taking $130,000 they bound Scott to make it look like he was a victim, said Judge Hobbs.
During the sentencing today the parents of Blackwood-Manukau, Gordon Blackwood and Robyn Manukau, told the court he was a good boy who knew he had done wrong but he would get all the support the family could give him.
"To everyone affected by this, I am so sorry for everything that has happened,' said Mr Blackwood.
Acting for Cowell, lawyer Michael Levett said he was a young man playing out of his league.
He and Blackwood-Manukau were recruited by Scott for the crime.
The bank manager was the prime mover, Mr Levett said.
"It shows when you get involved with the big boys you get into big trouble."
Vanessa Scott was faced with what appeared to be a mouth-watering choice which soon fell apart, said her lawyer Geoff Anderson.
The robbery happened at about 9am, and by 8pm the same day she was making a full confession.
She also led police to the stash of money.
Scott's lawyer David Niven said his client was remorseful and apologetic.
Prosecutor Kevin Glubb said the robbery was well planned and executed.
The thieves were armed with two knives and two bottles of petrol, and used threats and intimidation.
One of the bank staff was punched in the face, bound hand and foot and blindfolded.
Another victim was seven months' pregnant, Mr Glubb said.
Mr Blackman said Mark Scott knew one of his staff was pregnant
"But he still carried it out anyway.
"It was a cowardly act," Mr Blackman said.
- NZPA
