A MENTALLY-ill man has been made the subject of a hospital order after he tried to rob staff at Huddersfield’s Primark and spray-painted shop windows and parking machines.
Judge Jonathan Rose said 39-year-old MIchael Hughes’ life had been blighted by drink and drugs and after reading reports from two psychiatrists he had no doubt that he was mentally unwell.
Hughes, of Malham Court, Willwood Avenue, Oakes, Huddersfield, will be detained under the Mental Health Act at a hospital unit in the Halifax area.
Prosecutor Ken Green told Bradford Crown Court yesterday how Hughes confronted a member staff at the Primark store in New Street in May and demanded money .
When that member of staff refused Hughes told a colleague to open their till saying:''I'm not messing''.
''While making the demands he was making a gun gesture with his index and middle fingers and he then placed his hand under his jacket, perhaps implying that he had a gun,” said Mr Green.
Hughes left after staff activated a security alarm, but when he was challenged by a security guard he threatened to stab him. The defendant then pulled out a can of spray paint which he pointed at the guard.
Mr Green said Hughes then walked around the streets of Huddersfield town centre spraying shop windows and parking machines.
Hughes admitted charges of attempted robbery and criminal damage at an earlier court hearing.
