Why did Aaron McLaughlin (21) a top student at George Hicks High School suddenly turn to crime?

That is the unanswered question posed at McLaughlin’s trial on Tuesday (19) before Justice Charles Quin.

McLaughlin in May 2012 entered Cashwiz, a pawnshop in Bodden Town, carrying what appeared to be a handgun and wearing gloves with his face covered by a black mask. He stole $600 and a gold ring, threatened the terrified the two male and female shop assistants and then made off.

A member of the staff called the police and a patrol car spotted a man who matched the description given to them of the robber near the scene.

The police asked him to stop but after searing profusely he ran away until they cornered him in a condominium parking lot. It was there he threatened one of the officers with a gun saying he would shoot.

The police helicopter appeared overhead and McLaughlin reportedly threw the gun away and ran off again. A police officer caught up with him, tackling him to the ground and he was arrested. The stolen goods was recovered and was the firearm that turned out to be a modified flare gun.

McLaughlin later pleaded guilty saying the offence was “fake” and he had been set up but would not give any more details. His attorney, Clyde Allen, said he had raised concerns that he was afraid for himself and his family. Prior to the robbery an unknown gunman had shot at him.

McLaughlin had been a model student when he was at school, winning awards for academic prowess and was said to have been an outstanding athlete. He had no history of being involved in any crime before this incident.

Although the gun was fake and a firearms expert said if it had been fired it would have blown up in the face of whoever pulled the trigger, the police and the shop assistants did not know this.

Justice Quin said he needed time to make his decision and McLaughlin was remanded until December 2^nd where he would be back in court to receive his sentence.