A 44-YEAR-old man has pleaded guilty to possessing an imitation firearm during a robbery at a fuel station and convenance store on the A40 at the Lea in February.

Adam Hawkins of Hazel Road, Drybrook, Gloucestershire, appeared at Worcester Crown Court, sitting at Hereford, last week by remote link from prison.

Wearing a grey sweatshirt, Hawkins admitted to possessing an imitation firearm with intent, namely a black BB gun to carry out a robbery on February 18.

He also pleaded guilty to committing a robbery on Kuberka Suthanantham, depriving him of money and tobacco on the same occasion.

Prosecutor Danae Larham told the court that armed police officers attended the location at around 7.45pm on Wednesday, February 18.

Amiee Parkes, defending, explained that Hawkins had indicated his guilt at the first opportunity at Kidderminster Magistrates Court but because this case is indicatable only, he could only enter his plea today at the Crown Court.

She added: “I’m requesting that a pre-sentence report is carried out as this is a very serious offence and he is looking at a custodial sentence.

“Having spoken with my client, he is a man who has serious mental health issues and suffers from psychosis, depression and anxiety along with many other issues.

“At the time of this offence he tells me that he had forgotten to take his medication and because of these grounds I think a psychiatric report should also be prepared.”

Judge Martin Jackson said that because of the circumstances surrounding this case, the issue of dangerousness should also be evaluated on the defendant as part of any pre-sentence report for this court.

The court heard that the specialised reports would be needed for the judge to carry out his sentencing options, which would take longer than usual to prepare.

Ms Parks added: “We’ve now got the name of the GP surgery that Hawkins was in contact with. We will need time to obtain his medical records and instruct a psychiatric doctor to prepare a report for court.

Judge Jackson said that he was adjourning the case until July 3, to allow time for all the necessary reports to be prepared.

He warned that the sentencing hearing could be held anywhere on the circuit and this could be at Hereford, Worcester or even Redditch.

Judge Jackson told Hawkins: “You will be sentenced on July 3 and this date has been chosen because your representative wants to obtain medical reports investigating your mental health status at the time of the offence.

“I can fully understand why the lawyers would need to obtain this documentation. You will also need to be interviewed by the Probation Service and co-operate with them throughout the procedure.

“Given the nature of the offences you’ve pleaded guilty to, robbery and possession of an imitation firearm, any sentencing judge will have to consider the question whether you should be sentenced as a dangerous offender or not.

“The only outcome in this case is a custodial sentence.”