Former Soldier Robbed Woman Using A Red Bull Can

A former soldier who robbed a woman using a can of Red Bull has been jailed for 45 months.

Allan Johnston held up Jennifer Pringle in broad daylight near Stirling city centre in August last year.

The 40 year-old stole her handbag, but he was caught shortly after the crime.

Johnston told police he had used a can of the energy drink to "mimic" a firearm as "guns kill people". Johnston - previously jailed at a court martial in the 1990s for a drugs offence - was today sentenced after he admitting to the assault and robbery. Lord Turnbull told him: "You have pleaded guilty to an offence perpetrated against a stranger in the middle of the day while she was going about her ordinary business. "This was extremely frightening and upsetting for the lady concerned." The victim Miss Pringle was walking in Forthside Way, Stirling, when she was suddenly approached by Johnston who said: "Excuse me, can I ask you a question?" The High Court in Glasgow heard he then took his left hand from his jacket and appeared to be clutching what the woman feared was a metallic handgun with his finger on the trigger. Johnston demanded a now hysterical Miss Pringle hand over her bag, which she did before he fled. Police were alerted and later found the robber near the scene with his girlfriend. Officers found on him ID cards belonging to the victim. The handbag was also eventually discovered. No firearm was found following claims a gun had been used. Prosecutor Allan Nicol told the court: "He said had robbed the female as he had been looking for money to buy drugs. "He claimed he had used a can of Red Bull to mimic a gun when doing so." Johnston denied he had a firearm and - having been in the army - knew how dangerous they were. Mr Nicol added: "He said he would not use a gun because "guns kill people'." The charge Johnston pled guilty to today included the allegation he presented an "imitation firearm or similar item". The court was told Johnston was jailed in 1995 at a court martial for drugs and theft offences as well as a crime under the Army Act.