Kent Police jails Gary Fishlock for two years over Broadstairs bank attempt
Kent police said Gary Fishlock was jailed for two years after trying to rob a bank in Broadstairs while pretending to be armed with a gun. Canterbury Crown Court sentenced him on April 1 after he pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and possession of an imitation firearm in a public place.
Westwood Cross bank raid
Fishlock entered the bank in Westwood Cross on January 29 and threatened staff, demanding money. He handed a note to a bank employee that read: "I have a gun, put the money in the bag" and also said: "I want money, give me money".
A member of staff believed the threat to be genuine and alerted colleagues. Fishlock was described as holding a concealed item inside a bag, which led to a 999 call at 2.45pm reporting a male in possession of a firearm making threats and demanding money.
Firearms officers in 15 minutes
Firearms officers arrived 15 minutes after the call. A search later found no weapon inside the bag Fishlock brought to the bank, but the attempted robbery had already triggered an immediate police response at the scene.
Fishlock, of Shottendane Road, Birchington, attended Margate Magistrates' Court the next day before the case moved on to sentencing at Canterbury Crown Court. His two-year prison term followed the guilty pleas entered in the case.
Michelle Sutcliffe at Carton House
The April roundup that included Fishlock also listed Michelle Sutcliffe, who was sentenced to two years and two months' imprisonment at Maidstone Crown Court after an arson case in New Road. She was 40 and of Lester Road, Chatham.
Sutcliffe started a rubbish fire beneath Carton House on December 13 at around 12.05am, setting a pile of rubbish alight between two parked cars. The fire caused extensive damage to both vehicles and made light fixtures fall from the ceiling of the parking area while residents were inside their homes.
She was arrested on December 19 and pleaded guilty to arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered. For anyone following the April jailings, the two cases show how quickly a public threat can turn into a prison sentence once police identify the person involved and the court accepts the plea.
