A woman has been jailed after carrying out a breakfast-time robbery at an Aberdeen shop.
Joanna Collins demanded the cashier at Bedford Stores open the till and hand over money before making off with cigarettes, £80 in cash and Buckfast.
The shop worker initially refused but finally had to step aside as Collins, 25, barged behind the counter and started helping herself, Aberdeen Sheriff Court was told.
Fiscal depute Christy Ward told the court Collins arrived at 6am on July 15, 2020 and immediately walked in shouting, swearing and demanding she be given £20.
“The cashier tried to stop her from getting behind the counter by closing it down but the accused complained she was being hurt so she stopped,” she said.
“The accused used her shoulder to push past her while continuing to shout, swear and demand money.
“She threatened to kill herself if she was not given money.”
Took four bottles of booze
She said Collins then tried and failed to scan a packet of cigarettes to open the till before briefly leaving the store and returning a short time later.
This time she went straight behind the counter and took four packets of Lambert and Butler, one bottle of Buckfast, a bottle of Famous Grouse whisky and a bottle of Captain Morgan’s Spiced Rum.
“She scanned the cigarettes and opened the till to take just over £81,” the fiscal added. “At this time another witness heard the cashier shouting for help.”
Collins left carrying booze and cash and the whole incident was captured on CCTV.
When police traced her the next day she was carrying one packet of cigarettes and £27.40.
The value of goods stolen was £150.97.
Reckoned she had an agreement
Collins later told police she had an agreement that she was to be given two bottles of Captain Morgan’s Spiced Rum “on tick” at the store and claimed “the cashier had told her how to open the till willingly”.
Collins admitted a charge of robbery as well as charges from other incidents in Aberdeen, including carrying a knife on Union Street on December 17 2020 and of stealing meat from the Union Street Sainsbury’s Local store on February 4 this year.
She also admitted hurling abuse at shop workers in Sunny’s 24/7 Store on Market Street on September 23 last year after they refused to sell her alcohol due to her intoxicated state.
‘Desire to get her next fix’
Her defence agent David Sutherland said the “root cause” of her offending was substance misuse and said background reports highlighted she’d had a “challenging upbringing” during which she suffered abuse.
“Alcohol is a real challenge,” Mr Sutherland added. “She is either under the influence of it or has a desire to get her next fix.”
Sheriff Morag McLauglin was told that Collins, who appeared via video link from HMP Grampian, had been in the Peterhead prison since January this year and is on remand in relation to another case.
She handed Collins, usually of Merkland Road East, Aberdeen, a 15-month custodial sentence backdated to January.
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