A man who attempted to rob staff at two Dundee shops while wearing a gas mask has been jailed for more than three years.
John Simpson, 21, went into Mortali’s on Charleston Drive wearing the “frightening disguise”, before demanding money from the till and cigarettes from the display.
Simpson admitted that, on March 16, he attempted to rob Derek Mortali, entered the premises wearing a gas mask and repeatedly demanded money and cigarettes, all with intent to rob him.
He further admitted that, on the same date, at Lifestyle Grocers on South Road, he assaulted Sabina Akhtar, entered the premises wearing a gas mask, brandished a knife at her, repeatedly punched her on the body, and placed her in a state of fear and alarm for her safety, with intent to rob her.
Simpson’s solicitor Scott Norrie said: “It’s hoped when he spends a period in custody he will be able to reflect and hopefully get some assistance when he gets out.”
Sheriff George Way jailed Simpson for a total of 40 months.
He said: “You arm yourself with a knife, you put on a frightening disguise and you not only attempt to rob one shop, you persisted and went on to another shop only a few minutes later. Then, when confronted with a very brave woman, you strike her.”