Teen decked man attempting robbery

AROBBER who tried to steal a 15- yearold boy’s bike but was then decked by the youngster has been jailed for 20 months.

Colin Cook, 44, pounced on the brave youngster in Glasgow city centre in June this year.

Cook was on bail at the time having held a needle at a 16- year- old boy’s neck and robbing his bag in April.

Cook pleaded guilty yesterday at Glasgow Sheriff Court to an assault and an attempt to rob.

He also admitted culpable and reckless conduct towards police officers.

The court heard Cook pounced on the 15- year- old on a Saturday night in the city’s Argyle Street.

Cook initially spoke to the boy and asked him about the value of his bike and where he could buy “Vallies”.

Prosecutor Adele MacDonald said: “Cook pressed his hands on the handlebars the bike.

“Cook held a brick in the air to the side of the boy’s face before taking possession of the bike.

“The boy grabbed Cook by the neck, pulled him and pinned him to the ground.

“He then punched him to the face fearful about what Cook would do next.”

The hearing was earlier told Cook followed the 16- year- old victim off a bus in Glasgow city centre.

Prosecutor Adele MacDonald said: “He brandished an uncapped hypodermic needle in the direction of the teenager.

“He said ‘ Give me your phone and your bag’ before holding the needle against his neck.

“He then stated don’t give me it I your neck’.”

The “fearful” teen gave Cook his bag before both fled the scene in opposite directions.

The boy later ‘ If will caught of you cut up with police officers and led them to Cook who was near the location of the incident.

Cook told officers before a search that he didn’t have anything dangerous in his pockets.

The officers then recovered the uncapped needle as well as a bottle of the boy’s aftershave.

Bob McDowell, defending, said: “Both incidents were hapless and he behaved in a reckless manner – he was doomed to fail.

“He was under the influence of cocaine, heroin and Valium and had no control of his senses.

“He is fortunate the victims didn’t suffer physical harm but they must have been frightened.

“My client was understandably took to the ground and dealt with.”

Sheriff Alayne Swanson told Cook there was no alternative to a custodial sentence as the boys would have been “distressed” by his behaviour.