An armed thug burst into a Perth couple’s bedroom, swinging a baseball bat and demanded some weed.
Paul Crossland made violent threats during the terrifying late night visit and told the pair: “I’m not one of these dafties from Perth, I’m fae Fife.”
The 29-year-old appeared at Perth Sheriff Court and admitted the attempted robbery at the city’s Newhouse Road in November last year.
Sheriff Mark Stewart noted the offence was an almost “carbon copy” of a previous raid carried out by Crossland in 2014.
The High Court in Glasgow heard Crossland had smashed his way into a house in Burntisland and threatened a couple while carrying an imitation firearm.
A different ‘weapon of choice’
The sheriff told Crossland: “I take a serious view of this type of behaviour.
“You have shown yourself to be someone who relies on weapons.
“In 2014, it was a handgun and there was a robbery aspect in that case too. In essence, it was a mirror image to what happened here.
“The difference was the weapon of choice.
“A baseball bat is a weapon that can be used by people involved in criminal conduct to cause life-changing injuries.”
Sheriff Stewart added: “It is clear that a sentence of imprisonment is the only option.”
Crossland, listed as a Perth prisoner, was jailed for 20 months.
‘Right, what’s the script?’
Fiscal depute Michael Sweeney said the couple had gone out together on November 27 but were home by 10.30pm.
“They had not locked the front door.
“They were in the bedroom when they heard the front door handle being used.
“The man made his way to the door to see who it was and the accused walked into their bedroom.”
Mr Sweeney told the court: “At this time, Mr Crossland was in possession of a wooden baseball bat.
“He began to swing it around.
“The accused then walked towards the male complainer, who attempted to stand up.”
Crossland pointed the bat at him and said: “Don’t move or you’re getting hit.”
He made a similar threat to the man’s partner.
Crossland asked: “Right, what’s the script? Where’s the weed?”
He added: “I’m not one of these dafties from Perth, I’m fae Fife.”
Mr Sweeney said: “The accused then began to search the bedroom.
“He opened shoeboxes and went through bags.
“The woman showed the accused her purse, which was empty.”
Mr Sweeney said: “The accused continued to ask ‘where’s the weed?’ while searching the room.”
Crossland told the couple: “I’ll be back in two days for two ounce of weed.”
He then left the flat, and was seen walking south before being lost to view.
Police were called the next day, and Crossland was arrested – following an investigation into a separate matter – about a week later.
Annoyed
Solicitor Linda Clark, defending, said: “The court may have gleaned from the narration that the male complainer in this case was known to Mr Crossland and regularly provided him with cannabis.
“In November 2020, a close family member of Mr Crossland died suddenly.
“He has been struggling with mental health issues since.
“He has been using cannabis and the male complainer was his go-to.”
She said: “On this occasion, Mr Crossland had paid £120 up front. He was annoyed and he asked for either the cannabis or his money to be returned.
“He recognises in the cold light of day it was extremely foolish of him to attend at this property and behave in this way.
“Mr Crossland knows that custody was almost guaranteed.”
