A man who tried to rob a taxi driver in Dundee’s West End was caught by an off-duty police officer driving home.
Douglas Laidlaw, 41, attacked Vojalech Kuchar in his car on October 20 2021.
He was stopped after the police officer noticed the vehicle stopped and “shaking” from side to side in the middle of the street.
Laidlaw, a prisoner at HMP Perth, admitted assaulting Mr Kuchar, as he worked as a taxi driver, on October 20 2021, near Step Row and Magdalen Yard Road.
He admitted seizing him by the body, struggling with him, searching through his pockets, doing so with the intent of robbing him and to his injury.
He was on a bail order at the time, which had been imposed just seven days earlier at Dundee Sheriff Court.
Struggle over ‘£30’
Depute fiscal Stewart Duncan told the court: “An off-duty police officer saw the struggle between witness Kuchar and the accused.
“The accused shouted, saying he ‘wanted his £30 back’.
“He shouted again ‘you always treat me as the bad guy’.”
Defence solicitor Jim Laverty, in mitigation for Laidlaw, said: “He knows a custodial sentence is inevitable.
“He is incredibly embarrassed about this and is ashamed about this incident.
“He is someone who has experienced the ‘revolving door’ of prison and offending.”
Sheriff George Way called for criminal justice and social work reports.
Laidlaw was remanded and will return for sentencing at the city’s court on May 12.
Extensive record
Prolific offender Laidlaw has an extensive record, including convictions for stealing protein powder from a Dundee gym and breaking into Specsavers on the Murraygate in the summer of 2017.
During that offence, police caught Laidlaw wearing only one shoe and with blood on the glass of a door which had been smashed in to gain entry.
Last year, he broke into a flat in the West End but dropped his pilfered goods and fled when the householder confronted him.
