Published: Friday, 15th January, 2010 11:34am

Court told of attempted bank robbery

The Halifax Bank of Scotland in Innerleithen

THE High Court in Aberdeen has this week been told of a daring plot to rob a bank in Innerleithen.

Bruce Spedding, 33, of North Shields, and Anthony Lopez, 36, of Shiremoor, went on trial this week accused of hatching up plans to assault and rob Group 4 Securicor employees.

It is also claimed they tried to saw through the metal bars of a toilet window at the town's Halifax Bank of Scotland on April 10 last year.

Lothian and Borders Police Sergeant, Alistair Bruce, told the jury he was called out to the bank on Good Friday by a family living above.

He told the court: "I went to the back of the bank and found a bar removed from a window at the rear."

Advocate depute Derick Nelson, prosecuting, asked: "Did you find various other items as well?"

He replied: "There was a footprint in the window planter and I found a wooden palette locked against the wall."

The officer said he also came across a metal bar which appeared to be sawn off from the gents toilet window at the back of the building.

He added that he then contacted the bank keyholder - assistant manager Charlene Fairburn - who came to check the building.

Ms Fairburn told the trial that the bank was used as a substation and was only open three days a week.

She said Securicor couriers normally made safe drops on Friday nights but had attended the previous night because it was Easter weekend.

The manager added that she'd found no evidence of anyone inside the building but noticed someone had tampered with the window lock.

The court was told that the bank's alarm system at the time didn't cover the toilets or corridor areas - although it has since been upgraded.

Spedding and Lopez are also alleged to have broken into a used car dealership in Northumberland before stealing two vehicles on March 6.

Days later, prosecutors claim, they hired a van from North Shields and travelled in a convoy to keep a watchful eye on cash couriers on the B6372 road.

Spedding is further charged with dangerous driving after allegedly speeding down the A696 at Otterburn for 30 miles, driving down the wrong side of the road then crashing into a hedge and wall on the same day of the alleged break-in.

Both men also face charges with regard stealing three vehicles from car dealers, swapping registration plates and driving dangerously into the path of a lorry and tractor on March 11.

The pair are further accused of being in possession of a bag containing various tools, cable ties and a water pistol.

Spedding has also been charged with the reset of a car at Peebles between July 24 and May 4 last year.

Both men deny all charges.