A pair of masked robbers who subjected a Fife bakery worker to a traumatic and terrifying attack which “ruined” their victim’s life have been jailed.
Masked intruders Connor Bryans and Gary Christie admitted assaulting Michael Connor at Glen Bakers, Links Street, Kirkcaldy.
Brandishing poles, they burst in to the bakery and bellowed threats at the delivery driver, demanding cash and his phone.
They then locked him in the premises and stole his van, keys, phone and a quantity of money.
Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court heard that Bryans, 21, who is originally from Northern Ireland and has a history of dishonesty offences, was on bail at the time and that it was his idea to rob the bakery.
He talked 20-year-old Christie, from Ramsay Road, Kirkcaldy, into helping him carry out the raid.
Christie was high on a cocktail of alcohol and drugs at the time.
The duo were caught after Bryans’ ex-girlfriend reported them to the police.
Addressing both men, Sheriff Charles Macnair outlined the horrendous legacy of their actions.
He said: “This was a very serious robbery, carried out with masks and weapons.
“The amount of what you took was not particularly significant but the victim is still traumatised and had to relive what he went through by way of counselling and there is the distinct possibility of him suffering from post traumatic stress disorder.
“He has lost all his confidence and won’t go out unless accompanied and has been unable to work. His life has been ruined.
“This was not an instantaneous decision it was planned over a number of days and you made preparations by getting masks.”
Bryans’ ex-partner deserved “significant credit” for reporting the offence, said the sheriff.
The pair admitted assaulting Mr Connor on March 1 2013 by pushing him on the body and brandishing wooden and metal poles with their faces masked.
Bryans, a prisoner in Edinburgh and treated by Sheriff Macnair as the “lead figure”, was jailed for 51 months. Christie was sentenced to 35 months.