Desperate drug addict John Rhind jailed for Brighouse robberies

Oct 21 2009 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

THE drug addict son of two retired headteachers has been jailed for five years after he carried out armed raids on the same branch of a Brighouse bank.

Desperate heroin addict John Rhind was wearing a home-made balaclava and carrying a knife when he went into the Bradford and Bingley branch in Commercial Street six months ago and demanded money from a terrified female cashier.

Bradford Crown Court heard yesterdaythat the 35-year-old, who had no previous convictions or cautions, had even brought his own doorstop which had used to keep the bank door open as he carried out the late-morning robbery.

On that occasion in April, Rhind escaped with just over £3,600, but last month he returned to the same bank premises and fled with £3,400 after brandishing a small axe.

Prosecutor Bashir Ahmed described how Rhind approached a male cashier telling him to hand over the money quickly or he would chop his head off.

The court heard that the female cashier who was robbed in April had been in the branch again when the second raid happened.

Before making his escape again Rhind mistakenly removed his mask and he was arrested by police a few hours later after he was recognised from descriptions circulated about of the robber.

When his home in Henry Street, Brighouse, was searched police found a large quantity of money covered in purple dye, a woollen hat and an axe.

Rhind confessed to the police, blaming his heavy heroin addiction for the offences.

Rhind pleaded guilty to two offences of robbery last month and yesterday his lawyer Kieron Green said he was genuinely remorseful for the offences.