A mentally ill gunman who pistol-whipped a shop ma

A mentally ill gunman who pistol-whipped a shop manager during a raid on a bookstore was sent to a hospital for treatment today.

Jacob Charles, 21, walked into the shop in Brixton and pointed a firearm at manager Rudolph Strachan before demanding the contents of the till.

Charles then pistol-whipped Mr Strachan but the brave boss managed to overpower the robber with the help of some customers.

The defendant had visited the religious bookstore run by Mr Strachan in Station Road on several occasions prior to the incident last April 13.

Prosecutor Kathryn Hirst said Charles had walked into the shop late that afternoon and was immediately recognised by Mr Strachan.

‘He was disguised by having a handkerchief or bandanna over the lower part of his face,’ said Ms Hirst.

‘As Mr Charles walked into the store he had a gun in his hand.

He raised the gun in his right hand to shoulder level and asked for the money in the till and he said it was personal.

‘He came round to the other side of the counter and struck Mr Strachan round the face with the gun causing bleeding to his forehead.

‘

But with the help of some shoppers Mr Strachan tackled the assailant and held onto him until police arrived to arrest him.

‘He indicated in his interview with police officers that he had gone to the premises to rob the till of money,’ added Ms Hirst.

An analysis of the gun revealed that it was a Chinese made Tokarev pistol that had been deactivated.

Marks on the weapon showed that it had been made safe five years previously, the court heard.

Charles had never committed any previous acts of violence but he developed a psychotic mental illness.

But he refused to believe that he had any illness and in the past has opposed treatment to help his condition.

The court was told that psychiatrists believe that without proper care he could relapse and commit a similar offence.

Judge Paul Collins made Charles the subject of a hospital order under Section 37 of the Mental Health Act, 1983.

Sentencing Charles the judge told him:

‘What you did was very frightening to the man in the shop and you hit him over the head with a gun which was loaded although unable to fire.

‘You have got a lack of insight into your illness and you won’t take your medication.

‘

Judge Collins added that there was a serious possibility that Charles would remain a risk to the public unless he received proper treatment.

Charles, of Addison Avenue, Hounslow, Middsx, had admitted attempted robbery and possession of a firearm with intent to commit an offence.

ends