Bank worker facing 5 years’ jail for armed raid on ice cream van
A BANK worker who pointed a gun at an ice cream seller during a bungled robbery has been caught – after sending his victim an apology on Facebook.
Ian Hamilton, 30, told him he wanted to ‘say soz’ and wrote that his actions were ‘a bit daft’.
Victim Neil McIntyre immediately contacted police to inform them of his would-be robber’s confession and identity, posted on his business page.
Hamilton – who is believed to earn around £25,000 working for TSB – approached Mr McIntyre’s ice cream van in Kilwinning, Ayrshire, at 3.30pm on July 3 last year.
He asked for cigarettes before producing the ball-bearing gun and saying: ‘You’re getting robbed.’
But Mr McIntyre grabbed hold of the weapon and tried to wrestle it from Hamilton’s grasp, while the would-be robber repeatedly shouted at him to ‘let go’.
Hamilton managed to keep hold of the gun and fled, while Mr McIntyre drove away from the scene and called police.
Later that day, Hamilton’s girlfriend found him lying asleep with the gun next to him.
She had never seen the weapon before and put it in the kitchen cupboard. He had stolen it from a friend that morning during a drinking session.
The next morning, Hamilton contacted Mr McIntyre on Facebook, posting: ‘Alright bud. Just wanted to say soz [sorry] for pointing that gun at you, it was only a toy.
‘It’s a bit daft, I know, but I had a bevvy in me and I thought it was funny. I know it’s not, though.
‘I’ve got rid of it now so it doesn’t cause any problems.’
At Dumbarton Sheriff Court yesterday, Hamilton admitted assault with intent to rob by ‘presenting a firearm’.
Procurator fiscal depute David McDonald told how Hamilton ‘pointed what appeared to be a handgun in to the van, at Mr McIntyre’. He added: ‘Mr Hamilton appeared to cock the weapon. Mr McIntyre grabbed the gun and tried to take it from Mr Hamilton. There was a short struggle.’
Defence solicitor Fraser Alexander reserved his plea in mitigation until the next occasion and Sheriff Simon Pender called for background reports.
Hamilton, of Kilwinning, could be jailed for up to five years when he returns to court next month.