Debt crept into my life like damp. First it was the loan for my daughter's treatment, then the unpaid leave, then the second mortgage. I was still a serving police officer when I realised I couldn't keep the family above water. That's when I started planning the robberies. I used a sledgehammer because it made the screen shatter quickly. I chose banks near car parks because I needed getaway cars. I told myself stealing the vehicles was cleaner than threatening staff with my service weapon. Each time, I dumped the car miles away and wiped the wheel, convincing myself no one was getting hurt. But after the third robbery, they matched tyre marks. Then CCTV picked up my gait. They were closing in. I told my wife it was overtime. I told my kids nothing at all. I kept lying until the knock finally came.