A 'CROSS-EYED' robber handed himself in to police after he was caught on camera and his photo published in the Telegraph & Argus, Bradford Crown Court heard.

Neil Hartley threatened three youths with a kitchen knife when he demanded their phones in the grounds of Clayton Baptist Church, Bradford, at 2.40pm on October 4 last year.

The teenagers fled to Clayton village and were able to give a clear description of the robber to the police, including the fact that he appeared to be cross-eyed.

Hartley, 35, of Beckside Road, Lidget Green, Bradford, saw the police appeal and quickly handed himself in, prosecutor David Lampitt told the court yesterday.

He pleaded guilty to three charges of attempting to rob the two 17-year-olds and a boy aged 15, and having an offensive weapon.

The court heard that Hartley told the teenagers: "I am sorry boys and girls, I don't mean to do this but I want your mobile phones."

He made no attempt to chase after them when they ran off.

Hartley told the police it was "a moment of madness".

His solicitor advocate, Alistair Bateman, said he made no attempt to disguise himself.

"He has a lazy eye so that shows little element of planning," Mr Bateman said.

It was a strange and amateurish offence and Hartley had mental health issues.

A doctor at Bradford Royal Infirmary had previously assessed him as suffering from drug induced psychosis and depression.

Hartley had one previous conviction for common assault.

The Recorder of Bradford, Judge Roger Thomas QC, said: "The facts surrounding this case are very unusual."

Hartley came across the lads on a Saturday afternoon after arguing with his father and taking the knife with him

"In a bizarre way you went up to them and tried to relieve them of their mobile phones," Judge Thomas said.

Hartley gave himself up to the police and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.

The judge said that locking him up would not address his problems and so help to keep society safe.

"It would keep you out of the way for a few months but that is all it would achieve," he told Hartley.

He sentenced him to two years imprisonment, suspended for two years, with supervision and an activity requirement with the probation service.

"It is a curious situation. I hope that what I am doing is for the benefit of everybody," Judge Thomas said.

He reserved any breaches of the order to himself.