A mentally ill man who committed two knife-point robberies in Clacton has had an interim hospital order extended for a further month.
Simon Harrigan, 37, of Granville Road, Clacton, pleaded guilty at Ipswich Crown Court in January to stealing cash in a robbery at Best One newsagents in High Street and stealing cash during another robbery at Coral betting shop in Station Road. The offences happened within a few hours of each other on November 4 last year.
He also admitted threatening two people with a knife during the robberies.
The court heard that although Harrigan suffered from a mental disorder he was fit to plead.
The case was adjourned until today (Wednesday) for medical reports to be prepared on Harrigan and he was remanded to Edward House at the Linden Centre, Chelmsford.
Today (Wednesday) Judge Martyn Levett made an interim hospital order for a further 28 days until March 28 when the case will come back to court.
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