Serial offender in knifepoint robbery

A serial criminal robbed a terrified young woman in her own home just two weeks after he had been freed early from jail.

Anthony Hannigan burst into the flat in Leith, Edinburgh armed with a blade and threatened Sarah Kerr.

The 20-year-old was alone in the early hours of 3 February this year as Hannigan demanded cash.

The High Court in Glasgow heard he filled a suitcase with loot before ordering Miss Kerr to drive to a local cash machine to get him money.

A judge heard how at one point he hugged his victim and said sorry.

Hannigan eventually escaped having broken into two other houses in the city hours earlier.

The court heard Miss Kerr was in bed around 2am when she heard banging and drawers being closed.

She opened a door and was met by Hannigan, who was clutching a kitchen knife. He struck having already wracked up 55 convictions by the age of 26. He had only been released from prison on 17 January – just 16 days before he returned to crime.

His criminal past included 24 convictions for housebreaking, four for robbery and three for assault.

Hannigan yesterday pled guilty to four charges including assault and robbery.

He is due to return to the dock for sentencing later this month.