A man armed with a gun robbed a petrol station while reportedly “out of his face on cocaine” and has been sentenced to three years in prison. The incident took place at a BP garage on Old Edinburgh Road, Viewpark, where John Burns threatened a lone male attendant with what turned out to be an imitation gun. Firearms officers swiftly responded to the scene upon receiving reports of the armed robbery.
Hamilton Sheriff Court heard that Burns, 26, confessed to stealing cigarettes and alcohol from the attendant on February 4, as well as being in possession of cocaine. When confronted by officers, Burns complied with commands to drop the imitation gun before being arrested. It was revealed in court that he was carrying cocaine weighing 2.7g.
During the court proceedings, it was mentioned that Burns, dressed in black with a hood over a baseball cap, brandished the gun at the garage’s Londis store around 2am. The terrified attendant attempted to contact the police but struggled to get through on the emergency line. Subsequently, Burns himself dialed 999 and threatened to shoot someone before the authorities intervened.
Defence solicitor Scott Jones highlighted Burns’ struggles with drug addiction, which have impacted his overall well-being. Despite expressing embarrassment over the incident and acknowledging the danger he posed to the public, Burns stated that he had no recollection of the events. Sheriff John Hamilton noted Burns’ prior convictions related to weapons and substance abuse, emphasising the gravity of the armed robbery.
Sheriff Hamilton condemned Burns’ actions, describing the robbery as a terrifying ordeal for the victim, emphasizing the need for Burns to address his drug dependency. Referring to Burns’ history of weapon-related offenses and the severity of the current incident, the sheriff deemed a community-based sentence unsuitable and sentenced Burns to three years in prison, backdated to his arrest date. Burns had been in custody since the robbery.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of substance abuse and its potential consequences, highlighting the importance of addressing addiction issues to prevent further harm to oneself and others. It underscores the need for effective interventions and support systems to tackle drug-related crimes and ensure the safety of the community.