An axe-wielding teen who robbed and threatened to “chop” an Aberdeen newsagent has been jailed.
Jay Jamieson brandished a “large axe” at the terrified shop worker at Jollies Stores in the Sheddocksley area of the city on December 12 last year.
Aberdeen Sheriff Court heard Jamieson threatened to “chop” him before fleeing with just over £300.
However, the 19-year-old was caught just minutes later as officers spotted him running along a nearby road and deployed a police dog, leading to Jamieson’s swift surrender.
He then confessed to the officers that he had “done something stupid” and told them the cash was stashed in a nearby bush.
Fiscal depute Lucy Simpson told Aberdeen Sheriff Court the incident happened on Springhill Road, Aberdeen at around 12pm on Sunday December 12 2021.
She said a member of staff, who saw Jamieson enter the shop, walked behind the till.
“When he looked up, he saw the accused standing on the opposite side of the counter.
“The accused was holding a large axe. He held this at stomach height towards the witness.
“The accused leaned over the counter. He threatened the witness, advising that he would ‘chop’ him if he did not empty the till.”
At first, the shop worker tried to tell Jamieson there was little money in the till, but the teen brandished the frightening weapon and continued to threaten to harm him with it.
‘Done something stupid’
Ms Simpson explained: “Due to fear of what the accused might do, the witness opened the till and provided the accused with all the notes within.
“The accused stuffed the notes within his jacket pocket before fleeing.”
The member of staff then immediately phoned the police and, after checking the till, was able to calculate £305 was missing.
Ms Simpson told the court: “Approximately 10 minutes later, police officers observed the accused running along a nearby road.
“A police dog was deployed and the accused surrendered.
“He intimated to the police that he had ‘done something stupid’.”
The axe was recovered from the ground directly behind Jamieson, who, while being searched, said: “I tried to rob the store. The money is in a bush by the school there”.
He was taken to Kittybrewster police station where, despite his claim about the bush, he was found to be in possession of £305, which was then seized.
Jamieson, of Glenbervie Road in Aberdeen, pled guilty to one charge of assault and robbery.
‘Under the influence of valium’
Defence agent Christopher Maitland told the court that Jamieson’s actions were “obviously a serious matter” but pointed out his client was only 19 years old at the time.
“There’s some potential for Mr Jamieson to turn his life around and I would emphasise his young age.
“He was under the influence of valium at the time, but he accepts he made his own choice to do what he did. He seems to regret that and he seems to be remorseful for it.”
Sheriff Ian Wallace told Jamieson he had taken into account his young age and “lack of maturity” but was satisfied that the only appropriate sentence was a custodial one.
He added: “I also have to take account of the need to protect the public”.
The sheriff sentenced Jamieson to 12 months imprisonment.
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