Man returned to shop after attempted robbery

A man who returned to a shop minutes after he had tried to rob it at knifepoint was jailed for two years yesterday.

Jason Stewart had been chased off by Dalneigh Stores assistant Marjory Williamson who refused his demand for money, told him to get out and then pressed the panic alarm.

Inverness Sheriff Court heard yesterday that she didn’t know Stewart had a knife in his hand and it was only after CCTV was viewed that it was discovered the 26-year-old had a weapon.

Half an hour after his unsuccessful robbery attempt, Stewart returned to the same shop without his mask and disguise.

However, solicitor Neil Wilson told Sheriff Margaret Neilson his client’s crime “was doomed to failure” because it was his local shop and people had seen him hanging around

Stewart, who had moved to Dundee, had returned to Inverness, Mr Wilson said, and that was “a mistake” because the only people he knew were drug users.

Stewart admitted the assault and attempted robbery offence which occurred on August 18.

Depute fiscal Michelle Molley said Stewart entered the St Margaret’s Road store at 5pm wearing dark sunglasses and a baseball cap, with a dark scarf covering his nose, cheeks and mouth.

Stewart admitted previous convictions. Sentence was backdated to August 21 and he was remanded in custody.