KEY POINTS:
A Kawerau man who demanded money from a bank teller because he needed a beer has been given a reprieve.
Wallace Turner, 59, was initially charged with aggravated robbery .
However, police in the Whakatane District Court yesterday reduced the charge to demanding with menaces.
Turner then pleaded guilty.
Prosecuting Sergeant Adrian Hilterman told the court Turner had gone to the Kawerau branch of the ANZ Bank at 2pm on November 20.
After sitting on a chair for several minutes, he approached a teller and put a .303 bullet on the counter. He told the teller he had "the brother to the bullet in his pocket" and to hand over some money.
As he left the premises with $2570 in various denominations, Turner apologised to the teller.
He went to a nearby bar, asked for a beer and told staff to call the police.
The defendant still had the bullet when spoken to by police. He apologised for his actions and said he really needed a beer as he had been having a rough time of late.
Police let him finish his beer before he was arrested.
Judge Christopher Harding remanded Turner on bail until February 21 for a probation report and sentence.
- DAILY POST
