Serving prisoner took part in Machynlleth robbery while on day release

A man serving a 12-year sentence for attempted murder was involved in a terrifying robbery when he was allowed out of prison on day release.

Micquel Daviel France, 24, was picked up outside Sudbury Prison and then took part in a 'reconnaissance mission' in Machynlleth.

He was allowed out again the following day and was one of two men who robbed security guard Christopher Tarbuck as he delivered cash to the town's branch of Barclays Bank. France and 26-year-old Mark Ricardo Lawlor got away with £13,000 and 200 Euros.

The gang was tracked to Welshpool by police, where the white Mercedes BMW they were travelling in was stopped and all three occupants fled. France, from Birmingham, was arrested a short time later and Lawlor was arrested at his home in Solihull. The cash was recovered.

Both admitted committing robbery at a hearing at Mold Crown Court yesterday. The judge, Mr Recorder Wyn Lloyd Jones, remanded both in custody for sentence and said their case would be linked to that of a third man who had since been charged.

CCTV footage played during the hearing showed Mr Tarbuck being followed into the bank, where he was pushed to the floor and the cash box snatched. It was the third time Mr Tarbuck had been robbed while carrying out his duties in a three-and-a-half year period, the court heard.

The court was told Lawlor ran into the bank wearing a mask while France stopped anyone entering or leaving.