RAIDER’SBLADE THREATTO COPS
Jail for robber in two-hour struggle with police
A robber who turned an electric hedge trimmer on as police officers tried to enter his home to arrest him has been jailed for more than five years.
Ian Robertson, 34, rammed the blades of the trimmer through the letterbox of his door and then switched it on as the officers stood outside.
He also shouted at the cops: “I’ve got three f***ing mastiffs and they’ll rip you apart.”
Police were after Robertson because he had earlier stolen around £600 from the Fairprice store in Main Street, Cambusbarron, Stirling, close to his home in nearby Grierson Crescent.
As they tried to arrest him, e they had to use a Taser stun gun to control him during a two-hour struggle.
He pleaded guilty at the High Court in Glasgow to assault and robbery as well as threatening and abusive behaviour.
Robertson has a significant number of previous convictions including being jailed for seven years for assault and robbery in 2006.
Sentencing him to 63 months
behindbarsonMonday,judgeLadyRaesaid: “If you keep on at this rate you will spend the rest of your life in custody.
“The police have a difficult enough job to do without being subjected to your conduct.”
Lady Rae ordered Robertson to be monitored in the community for three years after his release from prison.
The court heard that at 4pm on
December 9, 2019 Robertson turned up drunk at the Fairprice store near his home and demanded money.
The shop worker knew him and initially thought it was a“joke”.
But, when Robertson pulled out a knife, the man raced out to a neighbouring shop where police were called.
Robertson was clocked heading back to his home after pocketing between £500-600.
When police arrived at his property they could hear shouting and swearing.
Prosecutor Murdoch MacTaggart said: “Two officers took up position at the front door.
“Mr Robertson put the blade of an electric hedge trimmer through the letterbox and then turned it on, causing the blade to cut through part of the door. He was shouting threats to the police as he did so.”
Mr MacTaggart added:“Robertson opened the back door at one point. He could be seen crouching holding a large dog by the collar.
“He was shouting:‘I’ve three f***ing mastiffs and they will rip you apart’.”
Robertson refused to surrender yelling at the constables he would“cut them from their necks to their feet”.
He also claimed to have“machetes, large knives and tomahawks”.
Police were forced to use a Taser twice on Robertson
Mr MacTaggart said:“Eventually after almost two hours, Robertson exited his house and was arrested.”
Solicitor advocate Ian Bryce said:“Mr Robertson is remorseful about these offences. He is ashamed of his behaviour.”