Nwicker60
26-Oct-16, 18:18
Accused remembered nothing of drug-fuelled hold-up
A YOUNG man who staged an armed robbery at a Wick garage shop has been sentenced to 21 months detention.
Keiran Bowes, 20, was said to have been high on drugs when he presented a knife and ordered the shop assistant at Dunnett's garage, in Wick, Christine Davidson, to empty the till.
Bowes fled with over £100 but was tracked down by police assisted by CCTV footage of the crime Wick Sheriff Court was told, today.
He pleaded guilty to the robbery on indictment and also admitted breaching bail by failing to appear in court, as well as a record including offences for violence and dishonesty.
Bowes, whose address was given as Polmont Young Offenders Prison, was previously living in Easter Ross but is then believed to have moved to the Inverness area, entered the shop around 9.15pm on August 26. He selected a soft drink before making his way to the counter to pay for it.
Bowes was advised by Miss Davidson that he was due a penny change. At that point, said fiscal Fraser Matheson, Bowes ordered 61-year-old Miss Davidson to also give him - "the rest of the f*****g money."
When she turned to face Bowes, she observed he was holding a small knife in his left hand but said Mr Matheson: "The accused made no attempt to strike her with it, but, clearly, it was used as weapon in what amounted to an armed robbery."
Miss Davidson complied with Bowes' demand and handed over the cash totalling £123-54p".
Although distressed by the incident, Miss Davidson contacted the police and the garage manager. A description of the robber was circulated and Bowes was arrested the following day.
Solicitor Claire Russell said that Bowes' recollection of the robbery was "non-existent", due to "the illicit substances" had consumed.
She continued: "He had taken some 50 valium tablets that day and he was suffering feelings of hallucination and paradnoia. He saw an escape from his situation in Wick and unfortunately, believed the only way to do that, was to steal some money. He has been consuming drink and intoxicants from a young age."
Miss Russell added: "The accused is horified at his behaviour on August 26 and recognises he deserves punishment for that."
Sentencing Bowes, Sheriff Andrew Berry said that an armed robbery in commercial premises was particularly serious in Caithness where " an act of such gravity is extremely rare."
He continued: "It would have been an awful experience for Miss Davidson and her mamager. I take the view that only a custodial sentence is appropriate."
Sheriff Berry acknowledge the role played by CCTV in the police investigation and suggested it was an aid that other businesses such as licensed premises might like to consider.
The sheriff noted that a background report rated Bowes as a high risk of re-offending and made him subject to a 10-month supervision for the protection of the public
The detention sentences of 15 months for the robbery and six months for breaching bail will run consecutively and are backdated to September 6, when Bowes was remanded.,
The knife was ordered to be forfeit.
A YOUNG man who staged an armed robbery at a Wick garage shop has been sentenced to 21 months detention.
Keiran Bowes, 20, was said to have been high on drugs when he presented a knife and ordered the shop assistant at Dunnett's garage, in Wick, Christine Davidson, to empty the till.
Bowes fled with over £100 but was tracked down by police assisted by CCTV footage of the crime Wick Sheriff Court was told, today.
He pleaded guilty to the robbery on indictment and also admitted breaching bail by failing to appear in court, as well as a record including offences for violence and dishonesty.
Bowes, whose address was given as Polmont Young Offenders Prison, was previously living in Easter Ross but is then believed to have moved to the Inverness area, entered the shop around 9.15pm on August 26. He selected a soft drink before making his way to the counter to pay for it.
Bowes was advised by Miss Davidson that he was due a penny change. At that point, said fiscal Fraser Matheson, Bowes ordered 61-year-old Miss Davidson to also give him - "the rest of the f*****g money."
When she turned to face Bowes, she observed he was holding a small knife in his left hand but said Mr Matheson: "The accused made no attempt to strike her with it, but, clearly, it was used as weapon in what amounted to an armed robbery."
Miss Davidson complied with Bowes' demand and handed over the cash totalling £123-54p".
Although distressed by the incident, Miss Davidson contacted the police and the garage manager. A description of the robber was circulated and Bowes was arrested the following day.
Solicitor Claire Russell said that Bowes' recollection of the robbery was "non-existent", due to "the illicit substances" had consumed.
She continued: "He had taken some 50 valium tablets that day and he was suffering feelings of hallucination and paradnoia. He saw an escape from his situation in Wick and unfortunately, believed the only way to do that, was to steal some money. He has been consuming drink and intoxicants from a young age."
Miss Russell added: "The accused is horified at his behaviour on August 26 and recognises he deserves punishment for that."
Sentencing Bowes, Sheriff Andrew Berry said that an armed robbery in commercial premises was particularly serious in Caithness where " an act of such gravity is extremely rare."
He continued: "It would have been an awful experience for Miss Davidson and her mamager. I take the view that only a custodial sentence is appropriate."
Sheriff Berry acknowledge the role played by CCTV in the police investigation and suggested it was an aid that other businesses such as licensed premises might like to consider.
The sheriff noted that a background report rated Bowes as a high risk of re-offending and made him subject to a 10-month supervision for the protection of the public
The detention sentences of 15 months for the robbery and six months for breaching bail will run consecutively and are backdated to September 6, when Bowes was remanded.,
The knife was ordered to be forfeit.