"it was registered under a false name and address."
Mohammed Farid, aged 23, of Manningham, Bradford, was jailed for three years and four months for a cash-in-transit robbery in which he made off with £12,200.
Bradford Crown Court heard that he threw gravel in the face of a G4S security guard while his accomplice was armed with a hammer outside Tesco Express in Bolton Road.
Katherine Robinson, prosecuting, said the guard went to the ground outside the shop just after 1 pm on July 27, 2020.
CCTV footage showed Farid’s accomplice running at him and using the weapon to strike the G4S van.
Farid then threw gravel or wood chippings in the guard’s face.
Following the incident, the pair fled in a red vehicle with the cash cassette.
Miss Robinson said: “The guard took the vehicle’s number but it was registered under a false name and address.”
The cash cassette was fitted with a tracking device and the police discovered the getaway vehicle burned out.
The cassette was traced to a house in the area and recovered unopened along with a jacket with Farid’s DNA on it.
When questioned by police, Farid made no comment. He later pleaded guilty to the robbery.
He has previous convictions for assaulting police officers, battery and possession of offensive weapons.
Farid’s barrister, Andrew Dallas, said his client was remorseful and distressed that a letter he had written to the court had not been delivered.
Mr Dallas said the security guard was not injured, therefore, he could not have been struck by the hammer. His van was scraped by the weapon during the robbery.
After stealing the cash cassette, both Farid and his accomplice did not know what to do with it.
Mr Dallas said Farid was under pressure to join in the robbery because he had a drug debt.
Mr Dallas stated: “He feels he has been something of a fall guy.”
Farid had done agency work at a supermarket in an attempt to lead an honest and decent life.
Farid’s weakness for drugs had led to his future plans being ruined.
Mr Dallas added: “He had been ill on remand in prison and the victim of an assault.”
Judge Colin Burn said that parts of the robbery had been planned.
Farid’s accomplice was armed with a hammer and the getaway vehicle was registered under false details and then burnt out.
Judge Burn said he was taking into account the Covid-19 lockdown regime in prison when fixing the length of the sentence.
After sentencing, Chris Taylor, G4S Area Risk Consultant said:
“This case highlights the dangers cash couriers can face in the course of carrying out the essential role they play in our society.
“We commend their continued dedication and professionalism.
“We are grateful to West Yorkshire Police for bringing this offender to justice, and hope that the sentence acts as a deterrent to others.”
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