Armed robber, 19, stole car before garage raid

The High Court in Glasgow heard William MacLeod had an imitation handgun

An armed robber took police on a high speed chase after holding up a petrol station while on his way to meet a female friend, the High Court in Glasgow has heard.

William MacLeod, 19, stole a car in a carjacking at a Tesco supermarket before targeting the Esso garage in Inverness on 9 May.

He messaged the 18-year-old woman asking if she wanted to go for "a spin". She was unaware at that point what MacLeod had done.

The court heard the 15-minute police chase that followed shortly after she got into the stolen car left her "scared and crying".

MacLeod, who had been drinking and did not have a driving licence, has pleaded guilty to a number of charges.

The court heard he stole a Volvo car from outside a Tesco branch in Inverness.

A woman was sitting in the passenger seat as her husband went to the store.

Prosecutor Lindsey Dalziel said: "MacLeod opened the driver's door, bent down to look at her and aggressively stated: 'Get out the car now'."

She immediately leapt out and MacLeod sped off.

Twenty minutes later - at 21:53 - he arrived at the petrol station to fill up the car.

As he walked to the counter appearing to pay, he told a worker: "Give me all your money. Open the till. I have a gun."

He pulled out what looked like a black-coloured firearm.

The worker was said to be "scared for his life" as MacLeod snatched £130 in banknotes.

MacLeod then called his friend to say he would be with her in 15 minutes.

Imitation handgun

Police had been alerted to the carjacking and robbery.

MacLeod was spotted driving north on the A9, before he went on to collect the woman at her home.

Ms Dalziel: "MacLeod then drove out a cul-de-sac mounting the kerb to get past a number of marked police vehicles which had congregated."

He initially went at speeds of 62mph in a 20mph zone as officers followed.

He slowed down enough at one stage to allow his distressed passenger to get out.

Ms Dalziel: "She was scared, crying and pulled her knees to her chest. She had asked MacLeod what he was doing.

"She repeatedly asked him to stop, but he said nothing.

"Eventually he said 'fine' and slowed the vehicle down, but did not stop."

The chase continued at speeds of 95mph - with the headlights turned off - and later at more than 120mph.

It was only when he reached a roundabout in Ardullie, Easter Ross, that he lost control which allowed police to block him.

An imitation handgun used in the robbery was found in the footwell of the Volvo.

The weapon was capable of firing ball-bearing pellets.

MacLeod pleaded guilty to charges of assault and robbery as well as dangerous and drink driving.

He will be sentenced at a later date.