A would-be robber whose attempt to hold up a shop with a screwdriver was thwarted by a school-run mum has been jailed for 18 months.
Jason Ryan pulled the tool from his pocket and lunged at a staff member at Mooney’s in Merkinch when she refused to serve him alcohol before 10am.
But brave school-run mum Michelle Fraser sprung into action, tackling Ryan to the floor and pinning him there until he was subdued.
Ryan, 49, had denied charges of attempted robbery, attempted robbery and assault, threatening or abusive behaviour and two counts of possession of a bladed or sharply pointed article.
The charges related to incidents on February 18 of this year at the Lochalsh Road store as well as the nearby Spar shop on Thornbush Road.
But a jury at Inverness Sheriff Court took just an hour and three quarters to find him guilty of all the charges last month.
During the trial jurors had heard how Ryan entered the store just before 9am and began browsing the alcohol section, before being informed that it was too early for drink to be sold.
CCTV showed mum’s brave tackle
They were also shown CCTV of the moments after Ryan pulled a screwdriver and lunged at a shop assistant, when 32-year-old Michelle Fraser single-handedly tackled him to the ground.
Speaking from the witness box, Ms Fraser said: “The lady fell and screamed so I grabbed him to try and get the screwdriver
“We had an altercation and I pushed him towards the door of the shop. He fell to the floor. I stayed on top of him.
“He said he had another one in his pocket and he was going to get it.”
‘She flattened me’
Giving evidence in his own defence Ryan told the court: “She flattened me.”
Eventually, when Ryan calmed, Ms Fraser allowed him from under her and he fled the shop but was arrested nearby soon afterwards carrying a single screwdriver.
Another screwdriver was recovered at the scene.
The trial also heard evidence that Ryan had entered the Spar Shop on Thornbush Road earlier that morning and brandished a pointed item at staff.
Following the guilty verdicts sentence was adjourned for the preparation of reports, with the case calling again at Inverness Sheriff Court this week.
Sheriff Sara Matheson handed down an 18-month jail sentence, backdated to February 21 of this year.
