A masked raider who barged into a Fraserburgh home with a sawn-off shotgun will appeal his conviction and sentence.
Scott Fowler forced his way into Colin Verral’s flat wearing wrestling masks and assaulted and robbed him while brandishing a gun.
He was sentenced to 10 years behind bars alongside his accomplice Slessor Buchan, who was jailed for seven years.
Fowler will attempt to clear his name and cut his sentence before a judge in Edinburgh next Thursday.
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The 38-year-old had denied the offence, but was found guilty by a jury of 10 men and five women at the High Court in Aberdeen last August.
Neither Fowler or Buchan showed any emotion as they were convicted of the “appalling” crime.
Mr Verral told the jury he had passed out when Fowler and Buchan, 39, had shot the gun into the ceiling.
Leeann Shaw told the court she was tasked with getting Mr Verral’s door open in exchange for drugs – but was then jumped by the men who carried out the robbery. She was jailed for a year for her part.
The court was also shown a social media post of Fowler from 2016 wearing a wresting mask like the one described by Mr Vettal.
Police never found the gun or masks used in the robbery.
Judge Lord Uist told the pair the use of the firearm was the “most alarming aspect” of the crime.
He said: “You have both been convicted by the jury of an appalling assault and robbery of a man in his home in Fraserburgh in January this year.
“The most alarming aspect of this case is that you have a sawn-off shotgun which has never been recovered.
“Only real criminals have sawn-off shotguns.”
Police also welcomed the conviction and said it was time the pair faced up to their “terrifying” actions.
Detective Sergeant George Nixon said: “Buchan and Fowler took their threatening behaviour to the extreme by using a firearm to deliberately frighten their victim.
“It would have been a terrifying experience and one which would have a long lasting impact if you believed your life was at risk.
“Incidents of this nature are unheard of in Fraserburgh – let alone the north-east – and they acted with no consideration for the fear and alarm they would inevitably cause.”
Last month, the Press and Journal revealed Fowler and Buchan cost the taxpayer nearly £30,000 in legal fees.
Fowler was handed £15,029 in Legal Aid cash and Buchan was given £14, 891.