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A 20-year-old says he robbed a bank after being threatened by an unknown man outside the Christchurch Casino.
George William Cowen, of St Albans, said the man threatened to harm his family and friends "if he didn't come up with money".
He pleaded guilty to the bank robbery charge at an appearance before Judge Patricia Costigan in the Christchurch District Court today, Christchurch Court News website reported.
The charge says he was armed with something appearing to be a firearm at the time of the robbery.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Mark Berryman said Cowen went to the St Martins Westpac bank in Wilsons Road at 1.50pm on October 8.
He concealed his identity with a beanie hat, a scarf partially covering his face, and black clothing.
He had a lighter shaped like a pistol tucked into the top of his pants.
He told a woman teller he had a gun and she passed $2200 cash across the counter. He took the money and then approached another teller who handed over $1900.
Cowen ran off and was followed by members of the public. He tried to get away by running through properties and climbing fences and dropped some of the cash and clothing in the process.
He was caught 30 minutes after the robbery, still in possession of $3985, and $40 of the cash has not been found.
Cowen, who had no previous convictions, admitted the facts to the police, Sergeant Berryman said.
Judge Costigan remanded Cowen in custody for a crown sentencing on February 5 and called for a report on his suitability for home detention.
Defence counsel Jonathan Eaton said he would try to have the sentencing date brought forward, and indicated that a restorative justice conference session was being considered for Cowen to meet his victims.
- NZPA
