Double kidnap accused admits attempted robberies

One robbery attempt happened in the Halston Hotel car park in Carlisle

A man accused of trying to kidnap two women has admitted alternative charges of attempting to rob them of their vehicles.

Stuart Sanderson, 57, of Nicholson Street, Carlisle, was charged following two almost identical incidents on 4 June in the city centre.

Police said the first occurred at 15:30 BST in the Halston Hotel car park off Warwick Road, while the second was just 17 minutes later on Botchergate.

A judge at Carlisle Crown Court adjourned the case for a report on Sanderson's mental state, but warned he was facing a prison sentence, saying: "These were two entirely innocent women who were put in extremely frightening situations because of your conduct."

Sanderson initially faced two charges alleging he tried to kidnap the women.

During two initial appearances at Carlisle Crown Court he did not enter any pleas, before proceedings were postponed for out-of-court discussions between the prosecution and defence.

The third hearing on Friday morning saw the two alternative charges, which were acceptable to all parties involved in the case, put to him and Sanderson admitted attempting to rob two women of their respective vehicles.

He also pleaded guilty to a third charge of possessing an offensive weapon, a broken glass bottle neck, at Carlisle railway station on the same day.

His defence team, who requested the preparation of a probation service pre-sentence report, said: "These are unusual offences, given the location and timing. They are also out of character."

Sanderson was remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced on 3 October.