A knife-wielding robber who targeted his female victim as she walked to work has been detained for more than four years.
James Robertson donned a balaclava and gloves before singling-out the woman in Aberdeen’s Mastrick Road.
She was carrying a pink rucksack and listening to music on her iPod when he ran in front of her, pointed a knife at her and said: “Give me your bag.”
The attack happened around 6.30am on February 2.
The High Court in Glasgow heard the victim handed over her rucksack to 19-year-old Robertson, who then said: “Give me everything you’ve got.”
His terrified victim handed over a set of keys, her ID card and her iPod.
Robertson, of Esk Place, Aberdeen, then ran off and the woman, who was unhurt but very distressed, phoned a relative who contacted the police.
Later the same day police were at a house in the city’s Willowpark Crescent on an unrelated matter and found Robertson.
When the flat was searched, the knife and balaclava and the victim’s iPod and rucksack were found.
Robertson admitted presenting a knife at his victim and robbing her of a bag, keys and ID card and an iPod.
His counsel, advocate Ronnie Renucci, said: “Mr Robertson was under the influence of valium at the time.
“He has an unenviable record, if he carries on like this he will spend most of his adult life in and out of prison.”
Judge Lord Beckett told Robertson: “I’m concerned to make sure that the public is protected from serious harm from you when you are released.”
He sentenced Robertson to 50 months detention and ordered that he be monitored in the community on licence for two years after his release.
