An alcohol and drug-fuelled attacker has been jailed after trying to grab a city centre office worker’s cash-filled briefcase in broad daylight.
Mark Harrison Arnott (31), described as a prisoner at Perth, was jailed for three years by Sheriff Tom Hughes after admitting the attack, which left the worker ”shaken”.
Arnott, who depute fiscal Douglas Wiseman said has nine pages of previous convictions €” mainly motoring offences but some including crimes of dishonesty €” had been due to stand trial before a jury.
However he admitted an amended charge of, on May 28 at High Street and Yeaman’s Shore, assaulting the man by repeatedly attempting to grab his briefcase and attempting to rob him.
He also admitted that on May 29, at New Look in the Wellgate, he stole an item of clothing.
Mr Wiseman said this was Arnott’s first crime of assault. However, he had spoken to the victim prior to the case and the man said he was still employed by his firm and ”still apprehensive going to and from the bank”.
He said the man had come out of the Royal Bank of Scotland in High Street after collecting cash for his company.
Arnott approached him and ”made some comment” about having plenty of money for beer in his briefcase, Mr Wiseman said.
”He told him to open it and attempted to get the briefcase itself but the man was able to get it out of his way. He continued following him in High Street, threatening him and asking if there was any money.”
Mr Wiseman said the office worker then sprinted to his office but when he got back Arnott was also there.
He said members of staff described their colleague as being ”shaken up by the incident”.
He said Arnott had been traced after police had spoken to him regarding the shoplifting incident and recognised some white clothing in his flat.
Solicitor advocate Jim Laverty, for Arnott, said he understood that the man would have been shaken by the incident but that there was no particular threat of violence or laying on of hands.
He said Arnott’s recollection of events was ”somewhat hazy” as he had been drinking with neighbours at his home in Soapwork Lane and was also on heroin and valium.
Sheriff Hughes told Arnott: ”This was a nasty incident involving a crime of assault and attempted robbery which would have caused the victim great distress.”
He added that people in Dundee must have the confidence that they are free to go about their daily business and the court must send out a message that this sort of thing will not be tolerated.