Cumbernauld gang admit attempted murder of shopkeeper

A judge has told violent thugs who stabbed a shopkeeper three times and robbed him of alcohol on Christmas Eve that they behaved like wild animals.

24 year-old Darren Timothy and a 16-year-old and a 14-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted attempting to murder dad-of-one 40 year-old Atiq-Ur Rehman at the Glenhove Store in Cumbernauld, on December 24, last year.

Co-accused 20 year-old Kieran Ruddy from Cumbernauld, admitted assaulting Mr Rehman by kicking and punching him on the head and body.

The High Court in Glasgow heard that Mr Rehman was stabbed three times and suffered a fractured shoulder.

The attack which was caught on CCTV in the convenience store was shown to the court.

Judge Lord Mulholland told them: “You behaved like a pack of wild animals to a man that was just serving the community.

“What you subjected him to was nothing short of a disgrace.”

Ruddy and the 16-year-old, who were wearing hoods, entered the shop at 7.50pm on December 24.

Prosecutor Angela Gray said: “Very quickly after, entering the shop the 16-year-old kicked Mr Rehman nn the body and repeatedly struck him with a knife.”

Timothy and a 14-year old, who were armed with blades and a baseball bat, then came in.

The accused jumped over the counter to steal alcohol and continued assaulting Mr Rehman by throwing bottles at him.

Miss Gray added: “Whilst the 16-year-old restrained the victim, the three others punched and stamped on his body, while also kicking and punching him on the head.”

They then ran from the shop, but came back and assaulted Mr Rehman again before finally leaving.

During the incident, Mr Rehman tried to defend himself by lifting a box of bottles but he dropped them and the 16-year-old repeatedly struck him with one of the broken bottles.

A passer-by overheard one of the accused boasting about stabbing Mr Rehman and he went to investigate.

He looked in the shop and saw what he described as “carnage” and dialled 999.

A customer, who went in looking for last minute Christmas items, tended to Mr Rehman at the scene.

He was rushed to Monklands Hospital in Airdrie and discharged five days later.

Miss Gray said: “The doctor treating him said if it were not for the medical treatment received, Mr Rehman could have died as a consequence of his injuries.

The 14-year-old expressed regret for his actions and apologised.

Defence counsel for all accused will give their pleas in mitigation when the case recalls.

Judge Lord Mulholland deferred sentencing until next month and the four were remanded in custody.