'Do not be a hero': Armed robber raids Glasgow pharmacy
Anthony Kinnon carried out an armed robbery at the Willis Pharmacy in Glasgow's Knightswood Shopping Centre on September 26 2023.
The 62-year-old went behind the counter and told staff: "I am not going to hurt you.
"Do not be a hero. Give me the methadone and the Valium."
After then leaving the chemist, Kinnon was later traced having taken most of the pills he had been given during the raid.
He recently pleaded guilty to a charge of assault and robbery at the High Court in Glasgow.
Prosecutor David McDonald told the hearing how Kinnon already had a long criminal record including two convictions for similar offences.
Kinnon's lawyer Allan MacLeod went on to give judge Lord Cubie further background about Kinnon.
The defence advocate said: "He is man who has spent a total of 18 years of his life in jail - 13 years of that in solitary confinement.
"He has been in every prison establishment in the country.
READ NEXT: Former Catholic priest admits repeated abuse of boy more than 40 years ago
READ NEXT: Serious organised crime unit cop sentenced for sexually assaulting colleagues on duty
"He believes that if he is returned to jail, he will not leave."
Regarding the robbery, Mr MacLeod said Kinnon had "not been thinking clearly at the time" and had wanted pills with a plan to take his own life.
The court was told Kinnon had not intended to use the blade - but Lord Cubie commented staff would not have known that.
Kinnon - who had latterly been staying at homeless accommodation in the city centre - had been on bail prior to the hearing.
Mr MacLeod made a motion for him not to be locked up pending pre-sentencing reports being completed.
He stated to the judge: "I am asking you to take a chance on him."
But, Lord Cubie remanded him in custody as the case was adjourned until July 8 in Edinburgh.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Glasgow Times
an hour ago
- Glasgow Times
'Information is known locally' claim cops investigating Ayr murder bid
Police say they are investigating the murder bid after they were called to Braeside Road at around 10am on Tuesday, June 17. The 39-year-old male victim remains in a serious but stable condition. Officers are also appealing for information to help trace a man seen in the area around the time of the incident. He is described as white, in his mid-30s, around 5ft 11in tall and with a tattoo on his neck. READ NEXT: Former Catholic priest admits repeated abuse of boy more than 40 years ago READ NEXT: Serious organised crime unit cop sentenced for sexually assaulting colleagues on duty Detective Inspector Jamie Carruth said: 'I'm aware there is information known locally in relation to the person involved in this attack on a man in broad daylight. "I'd appeal to anyone who knows something, no matter how significant they think it may be, to come forward. 'I would also appeal to anyone who was in the Braeside Road area around the time and saw anything which may be of note or has CCTV or dash-cam footage, to contact us. 'Extensive enquiries remain ongoing to establish the full circumstances. Additional officers will be in the area while our investigations continue and I'd ask anyone with information or concerns to speak to officers or call 101.' Anyone with information should contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting reference 0945 of June 17. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Edinburgh Live
2 hours ago
- Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh van driver killed top academic after mounting kerb while looking at phone
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info An Edinburgh van driver under the influence of cannabis killed a leading academic out walking in the street. Darren Gilmour, 42, had also been occupied with his mobile phone when he hit Dr William Noel after mounting the kerb in Trinity Crescent, Edinburgh on April 10 2024. Dr Noel tragically never recovered and died a fortnight later in hospital. The 58-year-old had been visiting the capital to purchase rare books for Princeton University in Pennsylvania in the USA, where he was the Associate Librarian for Special Collections. Gilmour pleaded guilty to the causing the death of the Cambridge University graduate by dangerous driving on Friday. He will be sentenced next month. Dr Noel - originally from Yorkshire - had been with two colleagues during the visit to Scotland. The trio had been walking on the pavement back to their hotel when tragedy struck around 6pm that evening. Prosecutor Alex Prentice KC told the High Court in Glasgow: "As Gilmour drove his Citroen Relay van, he was under the influence of cannabis and was interacting with his telephone, which was not connected to a hands-free system. (Image: University of Cambridge) "He failed to pay attention to the road ahead causing the vehicle to leave the road in the direction of WIlliam Noel and his companions." The advocate depute added the van went up onto the pavement, initially clipped one of the academic's friends before hitting Dr Noel from behind. He was lifted onto the bonnet, struck the windscreen before landing on the ground. An off-duty doctor out walking her dog as well as a passing nurse immediately ran to help. Dr Noel was then rushed to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. The victim's wife back in Pennsylvania was contacted and she flew over to Scotland to be with her husband. Dr Noel's brother also arrived from London. But, on April 29, he sadly passed away due to suffering severe head trauma as a result of the collision. The court heard cabinet maker Gilmour had been found to have 2.4mg of THC from cannabis use per one litre of blood. The legal limit is 2mg. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages Gilmour's KC Tony Graham said on Friday: "If he could do anything to take back what happened on that date, he would, but, of course, he cannot. "He appreciates words uttered may seem cheap, but he does offer an apology to those bereaved." Gilmour, of Dalkeith, Midlothian, had been on bail, but Mr Graham did not move for that to be continued. Lord Cubie remanded him in custody as sentencing was deferred for reports. The judge: "Nothing the court can say can possibly compensate the loss caused. "This offence appears to have arisen as a direct consequence of your lack of concentration, more concerned with your mobile phone than the road and potentially affected by drug consumption." Dr Noel specialised in the study of Medieval and Renaissance European books. He was described in court as a "highly regarded academic" and "very well known" having hosted TED talks and many public speaking events. Dr Noel had also previously been honoured by the Obama administration for his commitment to open science. end
Glasgow Times
12 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Pupils from Glasgow school take part in mock trial
A total of 26 pupils from Woodfarm High School, in Glasgow, and St Andrew's Academy, in Paisley, participated in the immersive session at the University of the West of Scotland (UWS). The session, held in the newly opened moot courtroom within the Paisley campus, was designed to give the youngsters a taste of what it's like to study law at university and practice it in real-world settings. Read more: 'Do not be a hero': Armed robber raids Glasgow pharmacy for methadone and Valium Professor Kasim Sheikh, dean of the School of Business and Creative Industries, commended the pupils' enthusiasm and potential. He said: "It was inspiring to see such insight, courage, and promise from these pupils as they stepped into the courtroom. "Events like this are about more than just learning how the legal system works; they're about helping young people see themselves in professional roles and giving them the confidence to take that next step." During the event, pupils were given roles as prosecutors, defence lawyers, witnesses, and jurors, and brought their arguments to life in UWS's purpose-built courtroom facility. The trial was overseen by a judicial bench of two: Isabella Ennis KC of the Faculty of Advocates, and Jeremy O'Neill, procurator fiscal depute, who jointly presided in the role of sheriffs during the proceedings. Both legal professionals gave a career and legal pathways talk after the verdict, designed to offer pupils insight into routes into the profession and life in the courtroom. The event also introduced pupils to UWS's new LLB (Hons) Scots Law degree. Developed in consultation with the Law Society of Scotland, this programme offers a professionally accredited pathway to becoming a solicitor. It is designed to provide students with both the academic foundations and hands-on courtroom experience required for a successful career in the legal profession. (Image: Supplied) Read more: Major new housing development in Glasgow district put on the market Isabella Ennis KC said: "I was genuinely impressed by the level of preparation and passion these young people brought to the courtroom. "From their structured legal arguments to their confident delivery, they demonstrated real potential. "With this new moot courtroom and the new LLB in Scots Law, UWS has created a space that makes the study and practice of law accessible, inspiring, and inclusive." Professor Sheikh added: "Through our new LLB in Scots Law launching in September and our investment in learning, UWS is opening doors and nurturing the legal professionals of tomorrow." UWS has hosted annual mock court events since 2022, adapting and drawing inspiration from MiniTrial materials, with the generous support of the Faculty of Advocates.
