A man has been jailed after claiming to have a gun and trying to rob a Wishaw betting shop.
John Watson wrote a threatening note on a betting slip which he passed to a member of staff at William Hill in Millbank Road.
But employees refused to hand over cash and he left empty-handed.
Watson, 39, a prisoner, was sent to jail for 15 months at Hamilton Sheriff Court. He admitted attempted robbery on February 8 this year.
He had been given bail in relation to other charges earlier the same day.
Prosecutor Liza Lann told the court: “Around 8pm the accused walked up to the counter with a handwritten note on a betting slip.
“It stated ‘Do not press the alarm. Got a gun. Give me what you’ve got. Nobody will get hurt.’
“A female member of staff handed the note to a colleague who pressed the standard alarm. This allowed them to be locked in what is called a safe haven in the back room, then he pressed another alarm.
“The accused did not speak or present a weapon at either member of staff.
“The witnesses stayed in their room for a few minutes then one of them looked through a peephole and saw the accused had gone.
“Customers confirmed this and the police were called. He was traced through CCTV and when charged by the police said ‘I totally apologise’.”
The court heard Watson has previous convictions for crimes of dishonesty and violence.
He claimed to be under the influence of valium at the time of this incident.
His lawyer said: “He is at a loss to explain what happened here.
“This is his local bookmakers. He is in and out every day and the staff know him.
“He is no criminal mastermind. This was utter folly because it was doomed to fail.
“His recollection of events is patchy but his apology is genuine. He appreciates his behaviour would have caused a great deal of fear.”
Sheriff Douglas Brown told Watson: “This is a serious matter. Employees like this are in a vulnerable position and must get some measure of protection from the court.
“The appropriate sentence is 22 months, but given your early guilty plea that will be reduced to 15 months, backdated to February 11.”
