Teenager fought off masked robber who tied her and her brother up after breaking into parents' house

A teenager bravely fought off a masked intruder who broke into her parent's house.

The 16-year-old lashed out at Robert Hamilton, 65, in Glasgow's Baillieston on December 18, 2021.

Hamilton and an accomplice had earlier tied up the girl and her 13-year-old brother as they ransacked the house.

The horror ordeal was overheard by a friend of the girl who had been on a video call with her when the pair arrived.

The friend was able to contact his parents who attempted to gain entry to the locked property.

The girl meantime was able to free herself and struck Hamilton to the head as he attempted to flee the scene.

Hamilton pleaded guilty today at the High Court in Glasgow to assault and robbery.

Hamilton, of Larkhall, South Lanarkshire, hit the headlines in 2013 when he was jailed for six years after impersonating a police officer.

The trickster used fake identification to go on a spate of robberies against elderly people in Glasgow, Giffnock, East Renfrewshire and Airdrie, North Lanarkshire.

The court heard today that the two teenagers were left alone in the house as their parents were at work.

The girl was on a video call with a boy when she heard a knock at the door which she then answered.

A masked Anderson and an unknown male accomplice - both wearing gloves - barged into the house and locked the door.

The pair stated: "Where's the safe, where's the money, don't move, sit down or else."

The second man grabbed a pair of scissors and threatened to kill them and their family.

Anderson and the other man dragged the victims into the living room and tied their arms and legs with wire, Christmas tree lights and a school tie.

The terrified teens told the pair that there was no safe in the property but handed over £65 of their own cash.

The two men went on to "ransack" the property opening drawers and cupboards.

Prosecutor Leigh Lawrie said: "Unbeknownst to the men the boy remained on the video call and heard the threats being made.

"He altered his father and mother who also overheard the threats and contacted the police as well as the victims' parents."

The boy's parents attended at the property and banged on the locked door as the victims shouted for help.

Miss Lawrie added: "The girl shouted that the men were going out the backdoor and at this point she was able to free herself.

"She picked up a wooden stick and hit Anderson over the head."

The two men were able to run off before officers were able to arrive.

It was discovered that the robbers had made of with jewellery as well as the cash belonging to the siblings.

Officers were able to trace Anderson to a neighbouring property and he was arrested. The other man's whereabouts is still unknown.

Anderson was treated for a head injury at hospital before he was held in custody.

Judge Lord Scott said: "A custodial sentence is inevitable...it must have been an ordeal for these children to have this happen to them in their own home."

Sentence was deferred pending background reports until next month at the High Court in Paisley.

Anderson had his remand in custody continued meantime.

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