An Eastbourne man has appeared in court charged with a robbery at a Building Society in St Leonards and with similar attempts at a Building Society in Eastbourne and a bank in Hastings.

Alan Slattery, 67, retired, of Silverdale Road, Eastbourne, appeared in custody at Brighton Magistrates Court on Saturday April 3rd and was committed for trial, with an initial appearance at Lewes Crown Court on a date not yet confirmed.

He is charged with a robbery on Friday March 26th, by entering the Nationwide Building Society in London Rd, St Leonards, handing a note to and threatening a member of counter staff and taking £2,400 cash.

He is also charged with an attempted robbery on Thursday March 18th by entering the Nationwide branch in Terminus Road, Eastbourne, handing a note to and threatened a member of staff, but leaving without taking any money.

Slattery is also charged with a similar unsuccessful attempted robbery at the Nat West in Havelock Road, Hastings on Thursday April 1st.

No weapon was seen or used on any occasion and there was no physical violence or injury.

The charges, authorised by the CPS, follow an investigation by CID officers across East Sussex.