Bank robber Dean Smith jailed after giving Barclays his address
A bank robber who gave a cashier his address 30 minutes before raiding the bank has been jailed.
Dean Smith, 27, of Treorchy, Rhondda Cynon Taf, went to Barclays to change his address and saw the money in the tills, heard Merthyr Crown Court.
He returned half an hour later to raid the bank dressed in a "terrible disguise" of sunglasses and wearing socks over his shoes.
Smith admitted attempted robbery and carrying a bladed weapon.
The cashier refused to give him money and Smith ran away empty handed.
South Wales Police quickly tracked him down because he had told cashier Catherine Stockton his full name and address half an hour before the attempted robbery.
"She could see he was holding a bread knife across his body as he demanded all the cash to be handed over," said Rachel Knight, prosecuting.
"He was not shouting. He was rushed but not angry or agitated. He sounded desperate.
"Ms Stockton raised the alarm by pressing the panic button."
Smith was jailed for two-and-a-half years.
Stephen Jeary, defending, said: "He told the police it was stupid and he was very sorry but he was desperate for money."