A man who attacked a female shop assistant with a dirty syringe has been jailed for two years.
Christopher Melrose (27), described as a prisoner at Perth, admitted assaulting an employee at R. S. McColl, in Arbirlot Road, Arbroath. The offence took place on September 21.
He further admitted presenting an uncapped syringe needle at her, attempting to seize her by the arm, repeatedly demanding she open the till, attempting to force open the till and stealing a quantity of cigarettes and tobacco.
The incident came just a week after Melrose had been granted bail for a separate offence.
Arbroath Sheriff Court heard the shop worker had been on the phone at around 4.25pm when Melrose walked in. He was wearing a worn dark top.
Melrose ordered the woman to open the till. He threatened her with a dirty syringe and moved towards her in a ”threatening manner”.
The shop assistant grabbed his arm in an attempt to push him away. She then picked up the phone, which was still connected, and told the person on the line to call the police.
Melrose unsuccessfully attempted to open the till and desperately resorted to ringing up items in an attempt to work it.
When that failed, he made off with 17 packs of cigarettes and four pouches of tobacco. The value was put at £166.02.
Police, including a dog team, tracked him down and arrested him.
Sheriff Derek Pyle sentenced Melrose to two years’ imprisonment.