A MAN has admitted being involved in the robbery of a security van outside a York bank.

Martin Cooke, 25, appeared before York Crown Court yesterday facing one charge of conspiracy to commit robbery, in connection with an attack on an employee of G4S Cash Solutions outside the Lloyds TSB branch in Front Street, Acomb in April 2012.

Three other people have denied the charge.

The robbery took place just after 10am on April 18 last year, and shoppers and staff from nearby businesses said they saw the G4S guard wrestled to the ground.

A G4S spokeswoman said at the time that the guard had suffered “only minor injuries”, but was taken to hospital for treatment. The bank was cordoned off for several hours while police investigated the crime.

Cooke, formerly of Walmgate, also denied possession of cocaine with intent to supply, after police found him with 7.7g of the Class A drug on November 4 this year. He admitted possession of a Class A substance.

Matthew Hawksby, 24, of Carleton Street, Acomb, and Adam Herrington, 25, formerly of Hewley Avenue, York, also appeared before the court yesterday to plead not guilty to the charge of conspiracy to commit robbery.

Lisa Johanne Gardner, 36, of Rudgrave Place, Wallasey, also pleaded not guilty to the charge of conspiracy to commit robbery.

Hawksby, Herrington and Gardner were released on bail and are due before the court for trial next March.