A robber carried out two raids just weeks after being freed from jail.
John Gilmour first struck at the BP petrol station in Great Western Road, near Kelvindale, Glasgow around 2.30am last September 26.
He was wearing a black hat, sunglasses and had his face covered.
The 40 year-old had what appeared to be a handgun as he yelled at a female worker: "Give me all the money out of the till."
Gilmour eventually fled with an unknown quantity of money in a bag.
He then targeted the William Hill bookmakers in Crow Road, Anniesland on October 9.
Wearing a similar disguise as before, he mumbled to a worker there he was robbing the shop.
Prosecutor Lindsey Dalziel told the High Court in Glasgow: "He shouted: 'I have a gun', but she was thinking this was a joke and said: 'no bother, pal'."
However, Gilmour brought out a weapon and the woman fled to a safe room.
After police were alerted, Gilmour ran off empty handed.
He was later traced to the St Enoch Hotel in Glasgow city centre, where was living at the time.
It emerged he had only been released from jail last August 28.
He had last been locked up for eight years in 2012 for similar crimes.
The court was told weapon was found to be an airsoft pistol capable of firing plastic ball bearings.
Gilmour pled guilty to charges of assault and robbery as well as attempted robbery.
He was remanded in custody pending sentencing next month.
