A SAUCHIE teenager who carried out an armed raid on two shops in a matter of minutes has been given eight months’ detention at Polmont.

Ryan Thomson (17) waved a knife at shopowners and “menacingly” demanded cash during a spontaneous robbery and attempted robbery on 18 January of this year.

The youngster entered the Sauchie Express store, on Main Street, and threatened the shopowner with a knife, before repeatedly demanding money from him, struggling with him, attempting to open the till before making off with a quantity of cigarettes and a lighter.

He then crossed the street to the Co-operative where he brandished a knife at two shop workers there and threatened to stab them. He then attempted to force open the till, struggled with the male shopkeeper and attempt to rob the store.

However, Thomson, of Braeside, was detained by one of the Co-op employees and later taken into custody by police.

After pleading guilty to one count of assault and robbery and one count of assault and attempted robbery, he appeared at Alloa Sheriff Court on Thursday (18 June) for sentencing.

Thomson also admitted to assaulting two police officers and behaving in a threatening and abusive manner during a previous unrelated incident in Coalsnaughton on 20 December 2014. He will be sentenced on this matter later this year.

Appearing before Sheriff David Mackie last week, defence agent Lorenzo Alonzi told the court that there was no element of pre-planning involved, as just moments before Thomson stormed out of the family home armed with two knives following an argument with his mother.

Mr Alonzi said his client was diagnosed with ADHD but had previously stopped taking his medication after he felt he was denied a career in the armed forces as a result of the condition.

But on the day of the robbery, he began taking them again, but mixed with alcohol which had an “adverse effect”.

Mr Alonzi added: “This is a highly unusual case; Mr Thomson is only 17 years old and had never been in trouble whatsoever before December 2014.

“He has since expressed genuine remorse for his actions, in fact he expressed remorse when he was first cautioned and charged by police.

“What happened here was clearly out of character – something which is recognised by those working in the first shop he went to.

“The shop owner’s wife told my instructing solicitor [at the pleading diet] that she was surprised Ryan would become involved in something serious like this.” The defence agent the said: “In my submission, he is not someone for whom a custodial sentence would be appropriate.

“Despite the severity of the offences, this is a matter which can be dealt with by a lengthy period of supervision and the imposition of unpaid work.

“This would not be a soft option, because he knows if he doesn’t comply full then he will be back before the court.” After hearing the defence plea, Sheriff Mackie then retired from the bench to consider his decision.

When he returned, he told the teenager: “I have heard a very persuasive plea for your solicitor and the intervention of the shopkeeper’s wife weighs significantly on my mind.

“But none of the mitigating factors can detract from the seriousness of these offences.

“The workers in both shops dealt with the situation with considerable composure when faced with a young man demanding money menacingly.

“Indeed, it must have taken some courage for the second shopkeeper to take you on, disarm you and then thereafter detain you.” He added: “I have listened to all that has been said today on your behalf but I am led to the conclusion that only a custodial sentence is appropriate.” Sheriff Mackie then imposed a sentence of eight months, reduced from 12 months to take account of Thomson’s early plea.

He also deferred sentence on the December offences for three months and told the teenager that he is likely to face a community-based disposal when he re-appears.

The sheriff then took a moment to address Thomson further by saying: “On a personal level, I do have one last thing to say to you.

“I do have sympathy for you and for your family but I do have a public duty to perform.

“When you leave here today, I want to do the best you can to think about the day you will be released, what you will do on that day, that night, and that week to put all this behind you.”