Killer admits robbing petrol station twice in once day

A convicted killer robbed the same petrol station twice in the same day.

John Paul Merenghi struck at the BP garage in Hamilton, Lanarkshire on September 16 2019.

He had previously been convicted of the brutal murder of his 82 year-old neighbour in 1993.

The ex-chef was freed from his life sentence in 2009.

The 48 year-old returned to crime when he stormed into the petrol station and brandished a Buckfast bottle at a worker.

Merenghi yelled: "Open the till or I will smash it off your head."

The thug managed to grab around £300 before fleeing the scene.

But, hours later, Merenghi was back this time threatening another employee with a pair of scissors.

Prosecutor Blair Speed said he was wearing the same trainers from earlier.

Merenghi this time got £235 and three packets of cigarettes.

He was soon traced by police, but denied being the culprit.

Mr Speed: "He said he had not been at the service station for three weeks."

Police went on to find the Buckfast bottle and one of the cigarette packets.

Merenghi today pleaded guilty to two charges of assault and robbery at the High Court in Glasgow.

Lord Braid remanded him in custody and sentencing was deferred until next month.

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