A CLACKS man tried to rob an iconic Wee County ice-cream shop at knifepoint only to be chased out by two workers armed with a chair and a pool cue.

Michael Douglas, 25, was warned to expect "a significant prison sentence" when he appears for sentencing next month.

Falkirk Sheriff Court heard the incident occurred about 6.50pm on November 6, 2020, as Rosa Orlandi, 61, and her sister Franca Orlandi, 65, were working in the family-run shop and cafe, Orlandi & Son, on Alloa's Sunnyside Road.

Douglas entered with his face masked and moved behind the counter, where Rosa was working.

He pointed a knife at her and repeatedly shouted at her to "open the till".

Rosa shouted back, "no" and then began "screaming" for her sister.

Franca Orlandi heard her, and came through from the kitchen to see the accused in the shop with a knife shouting at her sister: "Give me the money out of your machine."

During the court hearing this week, prosecutor Cheryl Clark said: "Rosa Orlandi picked up a pool cue and Franca Orlandi picked up a chair to scare the accused off."

Douglas turned and fled from the shop, smashing the glass in the front door with his knife on the way out.

Rosa Orlandi followed him while her sister phoned the police.

The crew of a police car which had been out looking for Douglas – regarding earlier incidents in which he had robbed a 12-year-old boy and attempted to rob a 16-year-old – happened to be passing at that exact moment.

Ms Clark said: "Upon approaching the cafe, both officers observed the accused exit the premises, immediately pursued by Rosa Orlandi, who flagged them down, shouting: 'He's just tried to rob me' whilst pointing towards Douglas."

After a short police chase, Douglas was apprehended.

The court heard that Douglas had 40 minutes earlier attempted to rob the 16-year-old boy as the teenager was walking home alone across parkland near Alloa's Bowmar Community Centre, by standing in front of him, pulling a knife from his jacket pocket, and saying "gie us what you've got".

The youngster ran past Douglas and got away, but Douglas then approached the 12-year-old boy who had been playing with friends in the town's West End Park, pulling a knife on him and saying, "Give me everything – phone, money".

The boy, who had fallen behind from his friends, tried to remain calm but handed over his phone without hesitation and stated he didn't have any money.

When Douglas left, the boy ran and found his friends who escorted him home to his mother, and the police were called.

The boy's phone was still in Douglas's pocket when he was caught.

Damage to the large plate glass door pane in Orlandi's Ice Cream Shop & Cafe was put at £1000.

Douglas, from Alloa, who appeared by video link at Falkirk Sheriff Court on Tuesday, April 20, from Low Moss Prison, admitted assault and robbery, assault and attempted robbery, criminal damage, and possessing the knife.

Defence solicitor Kelly Howe said: "He has a significant addiction to Valium. Unfortunately, he has no recollection at all of any of these incidents.

"He is under no illusions as to what the outcome is going to be."

Sheriff Derek Hamilton deferred sentence until May 18 for a background report, and continued Douglas's remand in custody.

He warned him: "You can expect a lengthy custodial sentence."