BOTCHED ROBBERY

Eitan Grant - Eitan Grant • Published 13 Aug 2008 15:10

A THUG tried to rob a petrol station - and made off with nothing, a court heard.

Christopher Allan held what was believed to be a handgun at a customer and demanded worker Dean Fitch empty the till. But, when Mr Fitch pressed the emergency button, Allan panicked and raced out of the Arkleston Filling Station in Paisley Road, Renfrew. The 26 year-old admitted assault and attempted robbery at the High Court in Glasgow.

Judge Lord Hodge told him he faces a 'significant' jail-term when he is sentenced next month.

The court heard two customers were in the petrol station around midnight on April 4 this year when Allan came in. He grabbed one of the men and pointed what was thought to be a handgun against his neck.

He then yelled at worker Mr Fitch to open the till.

Mr Fitch instead pressed a panic alarm and Allan said to the man he was holding: 'I hope that he has not locked the doors.'

Allan, of Porterfield Road, Renfrew, let go of the man and ran out of the premises.

Police were initially unable to identify Allan from CCTV images.

However, they later received an anonymous call saying that Allan was responsible.

He was eventually arrested for the raid after being detained at a house in Uddingston, Lanarskhire in connection with an unrelated matter.

The court was told that the CCTV was further examined and it was concluded that Allan had an imitation firearm while in the petrol station.

Lord Hodge deferred sentencing for reports until September 5 at the High Court in Edinburgh.

He told Allan: 'It is likely that a custodial sentence of some significance will follow.'

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This article appeared in The Gazette 13 Aug 08

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