‘Ham-fisted’ robber banned from road after appearing back in dock

A Forfar armed robber has returned to court from his recently imposed 26-month jail term to be sentenced for a drug-driving offence.

Kenneth Campbell, of the town’s Green Street was discovered by police officers to have “a variety of substances” in his system when he was arrested.

Forfar Sheriff Court heard Campbell, 45, had been at Whitehills Hospital where staff became concerned about his condition and reported to police that he had driven off from there.

Defence solicitor Nick Markowski said: “He was under the influence of diazepam but had consumed further drugs when police found him at home 30 minutes later.

“He is currently serving a 26-month sentence imposed in October in relation to a robbery matter and his earliest release date is November next year.”

He told the court Campbell has been placed on a methadone reduction programme in prison.

The robbery bid on a newsagent on Forfar’s Castle Street was described as “ham-fisted” by a sheriff after drugged-up Campbell left empty-handed having threatened the proprietor with a knife.