Knife raider sent to Rampton

Carol Hedley has been sent to a psychiatric unit

A woman who robbed a pub armed with a seven-inch long knife has been sent to a secure psychiatric unit by a crown court judge.

Carol Hedley, 21, of Park Lane, Middleham, carried out the robbery at the Bolton Arms in Leyburn, telling staff that "she was made to do it by somebody in her head".

Landlady Christine Whitehead gave Hedley £10 when she targeted the pub on 26 June and then a barman wrestled her to the floor.

Teesside Crown Court was told that minutes before the pub robbery Hedley had chased a man and a woman through the town's market place with the knife attempting to rob them.

Hedley was led into court handcuffed and psychiatric reports indicated that she needed long-term hospital treatment.

The judge ordered to be detained and assessed at Rampton top security hospital.

Hedley pleaded guilty to robbery, two attempted robberies and a previous assault on police in June.