A Domino’s delivery driver has been served up a slice of reality after claiming he’d been robbed of his takings at knifepoint.
Colin McKenna, 45, pretended he was the victim of an armed robbery while out delivering pizzas in Renfrew, so he could trouser the cash.
Sobbing McKenna, who was working as delivery driver for Domino’s at Bridgewater Shopping Centre in Erskine, told his boss his takings had been snatched, along with his tips.
He claimed a raider had entered his motor, held a knife against his throat and robbed him of the cash.
Procurator fiscal depute Sean Docherty told the court McKenna should have had £92.72 in takings, as well as tips, on him on the evening in question.
He said: “The accused made delivery to a customer named Lewis for which he received payment of £20.99.
“At around 9.15pm, after making that delivery, he contacted the shop manager to say he had been robbed at knifepoint by an unknown male.
“The unknown male had made off with the shop takings and the tips.
“He arrived back at the shop where he was crying and was shaking.
“His employer contacted police to report the matter.”
The court heard McKenna was visited at his home by cops probing the armed robbery, when his story fell apart and he confessed he had “made the whole thing up”.
The prosecutor added: “Police launched an investigation, during which they contacted the accused at his home address.
“The accused appeared agitated and he was nervous.
“He told officers he was lying and had made the whole thing up.
“He also handed over the cash to police.”
McKenna, of Port Glasgow, pleaded guilty to a charge of wasting police time by making false claims on the evening of June 29, 2019.
He also admitted a second charge of stealing £92.72 from Domino’s.
Defence agent Terry Gallanagh described his client’s actions as “sheer folly”.
He said: “He had clearly not thought this matter through.
“But he accepted full responsibility for it to police, and before the court, at an early opportunity.
“He is fully remorseful for engaging in this conduct and says he feels wholly contrite.”
Mr Gallanagh added McKenna had committed the offence after suffering a family bereavement and was feeling depressed.
He urged the court to show him leniency given his plea of guilty and demonstration of remorse.
Sheriff Tom McCartney told him: “Causing police officers to be diverted from their proper duties and responsibilities is always regarded as a serious matter and often results in a sentence of imprisonment.
“But it appears to me this incident was very much out of character.
“So I am prepared to deal with this offence by the imposition of a fine, which will reflect the gravity of the offence.”
He fined McKenna £1,200, reduced from £1,800, because of his pleas of guilty.
