Knife robber who ran into arms of police jailed

John Gallagher was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh

An armed robber who fled into the arms of passing police officers after an Aberdeen shop worker stood up to his threats has been jailed.

Balaclava-clad John Gallagher, 50, brandished a knife at the female worker at the shop in Aberdeen's Urquhart Road in July.

But he was caught by police officers who were driving by and noticed a disturbance.

Gallagher was jailed for three-and-a-half years at the High Court in Edinburgh, after admitting the assault and robbery.

Advocate depute David Dickson said Gallagher had produced a knife, demanded money, and made stabbing motions towards the victim.

The woman made a 999 call as Gallagher grabbed packs of cigarettes, and managed to pull the balaclava from his head.

The call operator heard Gallagher saying: "Give me the cigarettes. Open it, open it or I'll stab you. Open it now."

The shopkeeper was heard saying: "I don't know how to open the till."

The prosecutor said: "Police officers, who were on mobile patrol, were passing the shop when they noticed a disturbance within.

"They stopped their vehicle and coincidentally received a relay advising of the ongoing robbery as they entered the shop.

"As they did so the accused tried to run out and ran into the arms of the police."

'Appalling criminal record'

Defence counsel Drew Mackenzie said that Gallagher has not worked for a number of years largely because of substance abuse.

He said: "He does have an insight into his offending behaviour and needs to address that going forward, not only for himself but for society in general."

Lord Summers viewed CCTV footage of the robbery before sentencing Gallagher.

The judge said that it was obvious to him after reading a victim impact statement that the crime had inflicted trauma on the shop worker.

He told Gallagher: "You have, to be blunt, an appalling criminal record."

Det Insp Andrew Machray of Police Scotland said: "This was a frightening ordeal.

"This conviction should send a clear message to the public. We are committed to keeping our streets and communities safe and will use all resources at our disposal to do this.”