Bungling Perth crook given six-year extended sentence

Oct 29 2010 by Alison Lowson, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

A BUNGLING Perth crook who took off his home-made mask during an armed robbery on a local off-licence was given a six-year extended sentence at the Sheriff Court on Wednesday.

Twenty-one-year-old David Reid, of The Rookery, Muirton, will spend four years behind bars after Sheriff Lindsay Foulis branded his record as “appalling.” He will then be supervised for two years after he is freed.

The sheriff told him: “Because of the gravity of the crime, because of your record and because of the content of a background report, I consider that the public should be adequately protected.”

The court heard that Reid, who was high on a cocktail of drink and drugs, had committed the armed robbery just four days after he had been freed from a seven-month sentence for theft and a breach of a community service order.

The court heard he had removed the pillowcase, with holes cut for his eyes, while he brandished a screwdriver at the terrified shop assistant.

Because of that, a description was passed onto the police and Reid was arrested a short distance from the Supersaver shop in Perth’s Dunkeld Road.

He had escaped with just £90 and some bottles of Buckfast and cigarettes. But he even managed to drop part of his cash haul as he fled.

His description was quickly circulated and police arrested him 10 minutes after the raid. He had a carrier bag, containing the pillowcase mask.

Depute fiscal Charmaine Cole said that 18-year-old Ramzan Sultan was working in the shop alone when the accused entered about 9.30pm on March 21.

“He was brandishing a screwdriver and began shouting: ‘Give me your money - give me your money.’

“The complainer was shocked and frightened and proceeded to hand over two £10 notes and six £5 notes,” added the fiscal.

The accused then looked over the counter and spotted five plastic bags containing coins which he demanded be handed over, along with the fortified wine and cigarettes.

At that point another person entered the shop and the accused ran off. Mr Sultan activated a panic alarm and Reid was traced a short time later.

Officers recovered £47.50 from him, as well as three bottles of Buckfast and a packet of cigarettes.

Solicitor Linda Clark said that the majority of the accused’s offending related to thefts and crimes of dishonesty, directly related to his heroin habit.

“Some three days prior to this offence, he had been taking a cocktail of substances. They included alcohol, heroin, diazepam and anti-depressants.

“It wasn’t a particularly well-executed offence as he actually took the mask off while in the shop, thus ensuring he’s identified.”

Scrutinising the accused’s long list of previous convictions, Sheriff Foulis said: “There is only one sentence to impose in respect of this matter.”

The accused shook his head as he was led away in handcuffs.