A man who believed he had dreamt a terrifying armed robbery later discovered it had happened for real - when his mother spotted him on CCTV. Norwich Crown Court heard that Mark Lester suffers from a rare medical condition which means he experiences black-outs and does not remember his own actions.
Prosecutor Jon Morgans said that following the raid in March last year, Lester woke and told his mum he had a nightmare about holding up a store using a gun - it was only when police released footage of the crime that the truth behind the previous night's events became clear.
Lester escaped empty handed from the Budgens shop on the corner of Meadow Way and Cromer Road, Hellesdon, after quick thinking staff locked themselves in a back room. They later told police he had seemed strangely calm as he carried out the raid.
He was arrested after his mum, who he lived with in Ives Road, Norwich, recognised him in a television report.
Mr Morgans said: “When he was interviewed by the police Mr Lester said he did not think he had been responsible but said he had mental health issues and it could have happened when he was experiencing a black out.
The 36-year-old admitted attempted robbery and possession of an imitation firearm. Judge Paul Downes sentenced him to a one-year suspended sentence and ordered him to complete a supervision order which would include mental health treatment.
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