Graeme Martel blamed drug-psychosis for his attempted robbery of the Royal Bank two years ago.
The 24-year old said he had been a functioning fentanyl addict for many years, and believes he was given a cigarette laced with PCP on that day.
He entered the Royal Bank on Third Avenue carrying a box, and said it was a bomb he could detonate with his mind, then threatened staff with a syringe he said contained the AIDS virus.
He was involuntarily committed at West Coast General Hospital by police and spent more than seven months in custody until released on bail.
He has since moved back home to Logan Lake where he has become a volunteer firefighter and counsels kids to stay away from drugs.
Judge Ronald Lamperson accepted Martel’s guilty plea and apologies, and sentenced him to time-served and a further 2 years probation.
