Man grabbed bagfrom youngster

A teenager was robbed after buying sweets and fizzy drinks from a Larkhall petrol station.

John Ashcroft grabbed the carrier bag containing the treats and told Kieran Shaw he’d just been “jacked”.

Ashcroft (22), a prisoner, appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Friday and admitted robbing the 18-year-old in Machan Road, Larkhall, while on bail on August 3.

An allegation that he threatened the victim with a knife was dropped.

Paula Russell, prosecuting, said Ashcroft asked the youth what was in the bag and Mr Shaw replied that it was “stuff for his mother”.

Ashcroft then adopted a “threatening stance”, making Mr Shaw “fear for his safety”. He snatched the bag and walked away.

The robbery was reported and the accused and the carrier bag were found in another man’s house.

Defence agent Jackson Bateman said his client’s recollection of the incident was “hazy”. He had been drinking and went to buy a takeaway, but became agitated when someone knocked his pizza out of his hand and over a wall.

Mr Bateman added: “He knows his behaviour was unacceptable and apologises for it. He has accepted responsibility for it at a very early stage.”

Ashcroft has been held since August 6 in connection with the case. Sheriff Vincent Smith deferred sentence until December 14 and he was again remanded in custody.