Almost a year after a security guard delivering cash was robbed in Kempston, one of his robbers was sentenced to a secure mental health unit.
Timothy Simon, 22, was made subject to a Mental Health Order under which his psychiatric team will decide when it is safe for him to be released. He could not be sentenced earlier before because his mental health was giving cause for concern.
Judge Richard Foster said: "His problems have been exacerbated by his heavy use of cannabis in his teenage years. Time and time again in these courts we see reports about young men suffering from schizophrenia and the link being made to their cannabis use. That is why it remains such a dangerous and unlawful drug."
Simon, originally from Barking, but now resident at Chase Farm Hospital, pleaded guilty to the robbery committed on 19 March last year.
His co-defendant, 21-year-old Telmo Frota, also from Barking, was jailed for 30 months last September for his role in the attack.
Prosecutor, Natalie Carter, said the guard from G4S parked in Halsey Road, Kempston intending to drop cash to three premises.
"He was on his way to Thomas Cook, carrying currency when two men walked towards him. One held on to him and the other held his wrist and was pulling the cash box.
"There was a struggle which went on for about 20 seconds until he lost grip of the box and the two men ran away."
She said one witness informed police of the getaway car which was stopped in Bedford shortly after. Also inside the car was a Bedford car park ticket from the week before, which implied the robbers had come to the town previously to plan the offence.
The cash box was found in the car with the contents with £433 missing. A third robber has not been caught.
Pam Brain, defending, said: "During the last year his mental health has improved but he still has significant difficulties."
Judge Foster told Simon: "This was an unpleasant offence which was pre planned. You took the lead and were it not for your mental health problems you would have received a not insubstantial custodial sentence."
