Two men chased another man down a Dundee street in broad daylight with a handgun, cornered him in a shop and demanded money in a row over drugs, a court has heard.
Kevin Marshall, 31, of Baldovan Terrace, and Andrew King, 24, of Dens Road, were threatened with extended periods in jail by a sheriff after admitting the offences.
Marshall and King admitted that on January 8, at Balmore Street, Stobswell, they assaulted Douglas Laidlaw, 37, presented a firearm or imitation firearm at him, demanded money, uttered threats of violence and pursued him, forced him to seek refuge in a shop and attempted to rob him.
Marshall also admitted that at the same time and place, he possessed a handgun.
Depute fiscal Eilidh Robertson said the complainer was on Albert Street with a female friend when both accused approached, incorrectly referred to him as “Charlie” and warned him: “You better get my money.”
The fiscal said Marshall then called someone on his phone and minutes later a former co-accused of Marshall and King arrived and handed over an item in a carrier bag.
Marshall pulled what looked like a gun from his pocket and shouted at Mr Laidlaw: “Get the **** money or I’ll blow your head off.”
Mr Laidlaw ran into a convenience store and both the accused continued to demand money as the complainer held the door shut.
Both the accused fled after Mr Laidlaw told them the police had been called.
Several members of the public witnessed the stand-off and provided police statements, Ms Robertson said.
One witness drove to nearby Maryfield Police office and reported the matter immediately.
The accused were caught after police reviewed CCTV footage. Marshall told police Mr Laidlaw had stolen cannabis from him.
He said he disposed of the “pellet” gun at a drug dealer’s house but refused to say whose. Firearms experts concluded the weapon was “likely an air pistol”.
Sheriff Brown said: “The particular focus will be on whether there should be an extended sentence. This is a case that is likely to carry a sentence of at least four years imprisonment.”
Sentence was deferred to January 10.
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