A FORMER soldier who has performed on the main stage of Glastonbury carried out a bank robbery using a threatening note that had his mum’s phone number written on the other side.

William Gage, of no fixed address, was handed a hospital order by Bolton Crown Court today due to mental health problems that affected him when he robbed the Co-op Bank in Knowsley Road, in Bolton, in August last year.

The court heard how Gage had been living on the streets and was struggling with debts as a result of a drug problem and needed money to pay it off. 

However, the court was also told how Gage was not without talents, and had served in the armed forces for a number of years as well as playing guitar and singing on the main stage at Glastonbury.

Neil Ronan, prosecuting, said that on August 25 last year, shortly before 5pm Gage entered the bank as three members of staff were in the process of closing up for the day.

Gage approached one of the counters where one of the cashiers was sat and handed a note to a member of staff sat there.

The note said that he had a loaded pistol and that if she did not hand over the money, he would kill everyone and himself as he had ‘nothing left to lose’.

She told him that there was no money but due to being scared of what was happening, handed over all the cash, totalling around £1600.

Gage then left the bank with the money.

After this, the woman showed another member of staff the note and she saw on the back of the note was another message, saying ‘mum’ and then a phone number.

About 40 minutes later there was a phone call to the bank, stating that a man called William Gage had carried out the robbery.

Judge Richard Gioserano told the court that he believes that this call was made by Gage himself.

Gage was arrested in Wigan three days later and admitted to police that he had robbed the bank but said that he did not have a gun, but just pretended to have one to scare staff into giving him money.

He told police that he had been living on the streets for 15 months because of a problem with drugs that was costing him £200 a day.

Nicholas Ross, defending Gage, said that he ‘regrets’ going to the bank but it was a cry for help because of his mental health and drug problems.

He said: “He has the insight that this is not how you cope with issues whether they are drug related or PTSD.”

Mr Ross added that Gage served in the armed forces for a number of years. 

He said: “He also has musical talents, performing twice at Glastonbury on the main stage.”

Judge Gioserano, in sentencing, said that the woman who Gage approached in the bank was terrified and believed he had a weapon.

He handed Gage a hospital order, for him to be detained at the North London Clinic, as a result of his mixed personality disorder, that he was suffering from at the time of the offence and still is.

Judge Gioserano said that the order was not intended to punish Gage but to ensure he receives the treatment he need for his own good and for the good of the public.