Dad mistakenly attacks son at knifepoint

It happened as the teenager was withdrawing cash from an ATM in Glasgow's Cranhill

Author: Stephanie AllisonPublished 10th Mar 2023

A man who tried to rob a teenager at knifepoint didn't realise it was his own son.

The 45 year-old attacked the boy at an ATM in Glasgow's Cranhill last November.

The 17 year-old victim had used the cash machine close to his home to withdraw £10, and saw a hooded man dressed in dark clothing lurking nearby.

Prosecutor Carrie Stevens told Glasgow Sheriff Court: "As he put his card in his pocket and took the cash from the machine, he turned left and felt something against the left side of his face.

"He was pinned up against the wall by the neck.

"The boy felt a large kitchen knife pressed against his face.

"The accused stated: 'Give me it. Give me it now'."

The victim instantly identified his dad from his voice and eyes.

The son fled the scene and told his gran of his ordeal before police were alerted.

The robber was later arrested at his home and initially denied being the culprit.

He pled guilty to a charge of attempting to rob the victim.

The man also admitted possession of a knife in a public place.

Edward Gilroy, defending, told the court: "His mother, brother and son are all extremely angry at him."

Sheriff Andrew Cubie jailed the dad for 26 months.

Sentencing, the sheriff said: "These are an extraordinary set of events."

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