Man punched OAP after trying to steal his watch outside Glasgow shopping centre
The 26-year-old was jailed for 22 months
Last updated 29th Jul 2021
A man has been locked up for punching a 73-year-old man in Glasgow and trying to rob him.
Derek Douglas tried to rob Henry Mulhern’s watch outside a shopping centre in Shawlands on April 3.
The 26-year-old struck Mr Mulhern on the eye after failing to take the watch from his wrist.
The OAP was left with a black eye and a burst nose as a result of the attack.
Douglas was out of prison on early release for a firearms offence at the time.
He pled guilty today at Glasgow Sheriff Court to the assault to Mr Mulhern’s injury.
Douglas also admitted attempting to steal a pedal cycle and behaving in a threatening or abusive manner.
The court heard Douglas walked near the Shawland’s Arcade and pulled at a bike that was chained.
Douglas was unable to steal the bike as he couldn’t break through the lock.
Prosecutor Mark Allan told the court CCTV showed Douglas approaching an unknown elderly man and he lunged at him.
The fiscal depute added: “This caused the man to hastily move out the way and he was clearly alarmed by Douglas’ conduct.”
Douglas continued to walk along Kilmarnock Road before stopping Mr Mulhern to ask him for the time.
Mr Allan said: “He went to check his wrist watch but Douglas grabbed him by the wrist and attempted to remove it.
“Mr Mulhern immediately pulled his arm away.
“Douglas punched the left side of his face connecting with his eye socket causing a black eye and a bleeding nose.”
Douglas fled the scene as onlookers assisted Mr Mulhern.
The attacker was found by police hiding behind the door of a close nearby.
Susan Richmond, defending, told the court Douglas was released from a 33-month sentence in September 2019 for a firearms offence.
The lawyer added: “While on remand, there was credible threat to his life and he was removed to Kilmarnock from Barlinnie.”
Sheriff Tony Kelly told Douglas, of the city’s Gorbals, that his actions were “cowardly.”
He added: “It would have been difficult for the two victims to fathom what you were thinking when you marauded down Kilmarnock Road.
“Your lawyer said this was a spree and I agree.”
Derek Douglas was jailed for 22 months, which will take place 300 days from his previous sentence.
Hear the latest news on Clyde 1 on FM, DAB, smart speaker or the Rayo app.