Mercy for dementia sufferer in gun threat

A PENSIONER who showed signs of “incipient dementia” when he pulled out a replica firearm and demanded money from shop assistants has been spared jail, in what was described by a judge as a “wholly unusual” case.

A court heard that Kenneth Dodds was in a “highly confused” state when he pulled out a realistic-looking Colt-type revolver and waved it at staff in Cafe Pronto in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.

Prosecutors claimed that the 69-year-old had demanded money in order to pay off debts, and was heard shouting: “I’m not playing a game of hide and seek, I want £100 now.”

When it became clear that he was not going to get the money, he proceeded to the nearby Young’s newsagents and again produced the weapon, prompting customers to “leave the shop out of fear for their own safety”.

Durham Crown Court heard that the pensioner, who lives with his full-time carer son in Shield Walk, Newton Aycliffe, was quickly arrested.

Dodds admitted two counts of attempted robbery and a charge of possessing an imitation firearm.

Judge Jonathan Carroll handed him a three-year community order, claiming that the extent of the defendant’s poor wellbeing meant it was a “rare case”.

Tom Mitchell, defending, said it was the “combination of drink and medication, coupled with age and incipient dementia”, which led to the offence.