Yoker man jailed for armed robbery at Lidl store
Thomas McArthur confessed to stealing £260 during the raid last year.
A knife-wielding thug wearing a Guy Fawkes mask was pelted with tins of dog food when he robbed a store in Glasgow, a court was told today.
At the High Court in Glasgow 28-year-old Thomas McArthur from Yoker admitted robbing the Lidl store in Mellerstain Drive, Glasgow, on November 5, last year, of £260.
He was jailed by judge Lord Burns for 40 months.
Prosecutor Keith O'Mahony said: “The accused entered the store wearing a 'Guy Fawkes' mask and assistant manager Haroon Muzammal asked him to take it off.
“The accused then produced a lockback knife from his jacket pocket, pointed it as Mr Muzammal's face and said: 'I want every single f***ing penny out of this till, give me the money now.'”
The court heard that Mr Muzammal opened the till and threw £260 of £20 notes from the till on to the floor.
McArthur then began to follow Mr Muzammal down an aisle still brandishing the knife.
Mr O'Mahony said: “In an attempt to discourage the accused Mr Muzammal and cashier Charlene McPherson lifted cans of dog food and threw them at him.
“A number of these cans hit him on the legs and body.”
McArthur then tried to leave by the store's front door but was prevented by a sensor which allows customers to enter, but not leave.
He returned to the till area and picked up the £20 notes. As he bent over he was again struck on the lower back and legs numerous times with cans of dog food.
McArthur left the store by the back door and the police were called.
Mr O'Mahony said: “Although the staff were shaken and spoke of being terrified during the event they were unharmed and did not require medical attention.”
McArthur was caught after police trawled CCTV and saw him leaving his flat at Halley Place, Glasgow, wearing identical clothes to the robber and then walking back home afterwards.
When police searched McArthur's home they found the knife he used and £25 in cash.
McArthur had bruising to his legs and back.
Jailing McArthur, Lord Burns said: “Assault and robbery in premises such as this should be treated seriously. These premises deserve the protection of the law from people who take knives.”