A teenager pointed a gun at the head of a wheelchair-bound pensioner and threatened to slit his throat with a knife.
Ryan Renicks, who turned 16 this week, demanded money with threats from disabled Geoffrey Davidson, 70, at his home in Pipersfield, Alness, in June this year, and robbed him of cash.
Renicks appeared from custody at Inverness Sheriff Court yesterday and admitted a charge of assault and robbery.
Sheriff and jury prosecutor Roderick Urquhart told Sheriff Margaret Neilson that Mr Davidson used a wheelchair and walking frame to get around.
Renicks entered the property when the door was left unlocked by Mr Davidson to let in his carers.
Mr Urquhart said: “About 9am on June 6, 2015 Mr Davidson’s carer arrived as normal.
The carer left about 9.40am and 20 minutes later Mr Davidson was in his living room when he heard his door opening again and Renicks walked in unannounced.
“He asked Mr Davidson if he could lend him some money to which he responded that he could not.
Renick left the house, shouting: ‘I’ll be back and I’ll sort you out.’
“About 10.15am Renicks again entered the house and held what Mr Davidson described as an air rifle at his head and said that if he did not give him money he would shoot him and slit his throat.
“He went on to explain that he owed people money and then pulled out a knife from his trouser pocket.”
The court heard that Mr Davidson told Renicks he would lend him £20 but the teenager demanded more.
The pensioner then handed over £80.
Renicks then went to leave, telling Mr Davidson if anyone asked, his name was Louis Mackay, adding; ‘If you phone the police I’ll come back and shoot you and cut your throat.”
Mr Davidson’s neighbour heard him demanding the money, took a photograph of Renicks as he left, and gave it to the police.
Mr Urquhart said: “Mr Davidson himself was initially too afraid to contact the police given the threats made and for about an hour he sat on his sofa prior to plucking up the courage to contact the police, which he did at 11.19am.”
During the police investigation that followed a young man named Louis Mackay was detained, arrested and held in custody.
But it was eventually realised that Renicks, whose address was given as a secure unit in Paisley, had given a false name, Louis Mackay was released and Renicks arrested.
The court heard that the gun was examined and appeared to be a replica of an assault rifle but was unlikely to cause a fatal wound even if fired at close range.
Sentence was deferred until September 15 for a background report on the first offender.
His defence solicitor will give a plea in mitigation, then.
