A banned driver who stole a bright yellow car and used it an armed robbery left his DNA and fingerprints on the getaway vehicle.
Jay Jay Kirton denied he had been in the Fiat Punto and told police they would find no forensic evidence linking him to it.
But a court heard his DNA was found on the steering wheel and gear stick, along with his fingerprints.
Kirton, 24, and accomplice Richard Cameron, 30, admitted carrying out a knifepoint robbery at DSG Stores in Aberdeen’s Bankhead Road, Aberdeen on June 5 when they appeared at the High Court in Edinburgh.
Kirton also admitted stealing the car in the city’s Provost Rust Drive, Aberdeen and driving while disqualified and without insurance.
Their victim, Laura Syal, saw the pair – who grabbed about £430 and cigarettes – get into the yellow hatchback after the raid and asked another employee to note the registration.
Cameron, of Provost Rust Drive, was later detained by police at a house in the city’s Newton Road and clothing he was wearing during the robbery was found under a bed.
Packets of cigarettes and some cash was found during a search of Kirton’s address, also in Newton Road.
Advocate depute Suzanne Tanner, prosecuting, told the court that during an interview Kirton denied driving the car on the day it was stolen and said there would be no DNA linking him to it.
Kirton, who has previous convictions for theft, assaults, drugs and road traffic offences, claimed he did not even know where the store targeted was.
Footage of the robbery was shown to the court and Ms Tanner said Kirton “is seen approaching the counter holding a knife up in his right hand and gesturing towards Laura Syal who is backing towards a storeroom”.
During the raid Kirton demanded a carrier bag from Mrs Syal, which he filled with packs of cigarettes, while Cameron rifled the till.
Cameron, who also has convictions for theft, assault, drugs and road traffic offences, could also be seen on the film with a knife gesturing towards the till.
Kirton’s counsel, solicitor-advocate Chris Fyffe, told judge Lord Ericht: “He accepts a custodial sentence will be inevitable in this case.”
Cameron’s counsel, advocate Ronnie Renucci, said his client had battled a “chronic drug problem for some considerable time” but had been given a prescription for the heroin substitute methadone.
Lord Ericht deferred sentence for background reports and remanded the pair in custody.
