Court reporter
A man who robbed the Burnside branch of the Royal Bank of Scotland apologised to staff as he made off with a four-figure sum.
Gary Timoney, 41, helped get himself caught after photos of him and his getaway car were found online, a court heard.
A judge heard that he told staff at the RBS branch in Burnside, near Glasgow, that he was “sorry” for the raid.
A CCTV trawl by police found the
culprit had been driving a Mercedes C class car.
Timoney held up the bank as well as a garage on August 2 this year.
The High Court in Glasgow heard pictures of Timoney with the vehicle on social media were then discovered.
Timoney was later held and on Thursday, December 8, he pled guilty to two assault and robbery charges.
He faces a lengthy jail term when he returns to the dock in the New Year.
Timoney, from Ryehill, Glasgow, first targeted the Balmore Filling Station in the city’s Possilpark – but fled empty-handed.
He had demanded a worker put cash in the bag but was told to“p*** off”.
Timoney then left in the Mercedes which was parked around the corner.
Hours later, he went on to hold up the RBS branch, stealing more than £6,000.
He told staff:“Don’t do anything stupid – don’t press any buttons.
“I am so sorry – it is a desperate time.”
Judge Lord Boyd deferred sentencing until January 11 for reports.
The incident left the Burnside community stunned.
Residents reported seeing heavy pollice activity on Stonelaw Road after the incident.
Two women aged 30 and 57, who were in the branch at the time, were promised support from the bank after their ordeal.