Bank robber pleads for leniency

A 23-year-old university graduate stood trial Thursday for robbing 100,000 yuan ($16,403) from a bank in Pudong New Area in April while holding a woman at knife point.

The defendant, Wan Guangdao, from Shandong Province, who graduated from Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, faced a robbery charge during the two-hour hearing at Shanghai No.1 Intermediate People's Court. The court said it would issue a verdict and sentence at a later date.

Wan's defense hinged on his fragile emotional state at the time and what his lawyer framed as an impulsive decision to commit the crime. Although Wan admitted to the robbery in court, he offered the explanation that he was depressed after he and his girlfriend broke up at the beginning of this year.

However, the prosecution argued that Wan's reasons for committing the crime were far more practical. In court, the prosecutor pointed out that Wan had more than 60,000 yuan in credit card debt and could barely make ends meet. His monthly salary ranged from 2,000 yuan to 4,000 yuan, depending on his job performance.

Wan decided a day in advance to rob a branch of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China on Zhangjiang Road in Pudong, which was near his temporary residence, he said.

He showed up at the bank around 9 am on April 10, wearing a mask and a hat, according to the prosecutor.

He entered the bank's VIP room, where two female clients were doing cash transactions, according to accounts given in court. He pulled out a knife and pressed the blade to the chest of one of the women. He then shouted to the teller that she had 30 seconds to hand over some cash. He did not specify an amount.

The teller filled a bag that Wan had given her, and Wan left the bank without anyone else noticing, the prosecutor said.

After exiting the bank, Wan started to run when he noticed he was being followed. Bank employees, along with a lone taxi driver, chased after him. Wan heard someone yell that they would let him go if he dropped the money, so he threw the cash into a passing car and ran off.

In court, the defendant said he could've gotten away with the cash, but chose not to, afraid someone might get hurt.

Wan's lawyer argued that he deserved a lenient sentence because he gave up the money in order to put an end to the robbery.

The prosecutor responded that Wan committed robbery as soon as he took the money from the teller.