Robber targeted stores

AN armed robber who raided two Perth shop workers at knifepoint has been jailed.

David Edevane threatened a checkout operator at the city’s Aldi supermarket on Glasgow Road and fled with handfuls of cash from the till.

Just weeks later, the 36-year-old targeted a BP filling station, yards from the police headquarters.

He was jailed for a year when he appeared at Perth Sheriff Court.

The court heard he fell in with a bad crowd after a spell living abroad and was stealing to buy drugs.

Sheriff William Wood told him: “Since you returned to this country your life has been in freefall.

“These are two very serious matters involving robbery with a knife.

“This can’t have been a pleasant experience for the people involved.

“It’s like someone coming to your house and holding a knife at you and demanding money.”

Fiscal depute Elizabeth Hodgson told the court that Edevane went to Aldi on the evening of February 4 last year. Wearing a white surgical facemask he approached the till carrying a knife with a silver blade of about two inches.

Ms Hodgson said: “The accused demanded the complainer open the till.”

Edevane grabbed around £170.

On April 13, Edevane struck at the filling station on Dunkeld Road, wearing a black snood, mask and dark clothing.

Edevane was traced by police about 300 yards from the filling station.

Police found his knife near the filling station and a bag with just under £400 in a courtyard near Edevane’s flat.

The accused, of St Catherine’s Road, Perth, admitted two charges of assault and robbery.

David Edevane.