17 hours ago
'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.
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"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.
