An East Kilbride shop assistant was threatened with a knife as he tried to stop a teenager stealing alcohol.
The male employee grabbed the shoplifter’s hat only to be confronted by blade-wielding Dylan McCrae who demanded he hand it back.
McCrae, 18, of Lancaster Crescent, East Kilbride, appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court this week.
He admitted carrying an offensive weapon and committing assault and robbery at the Co-op in Main Street on September 22 last year.
Also in the dock was Lewis McCrossan, 19, of Mill Court, Rutherglen, who admitted a reduced charge of theft.
Robbie McDougall, prosecuting, said the robbery happened around 9.20pm.
He told the court: “McCrossan entered the Co-op and selected two bottles of Buckfast from a shelf.
“He went past the payment point and made for the exit but was intercepted by a member of staff who tried to remove the bottles from him.
“The staff member then took McCrossan’s hat off his head and threw it behind the counter.
“McCrossan shouted for help from one of his friends who was standing outside.
“McCrae entered the shop, brought out a knife, pointed it at the staff member and advanced towards him.
“The employee put up his hands immediately and tried to de-escalate the situation.
“But McCrae shouted ‘What are you doing, mate? Give him his hat back’ and gestured behind the counter.
“He continued to shout ‘Get that f****** hat right now, f****** idiot’.
“McCrossan was handed the hat back and he shouted at McCrae to get out of the shop.
“McCrae, still in possession of the knife, advanced again towards the member of staff who backed off.
“The two accused then left the store.”
Mr McDougall showed the court footage of the incident which was captured by the Co-op’s CCTV.
Sheriff Liam Murphy deferred sentence on McCrae and McCrossan until next month for background reports and continued their bail.
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