Two men who barged into a stranger’s home and threatened to chop his head off with samurai swords have been handed extended sentences.
The terrified occupant of the property on Pennan Road spotted Barry Robertson, 52, and Mark Main, 37, peering through his living room window late at night.
But when he challenged them they pushed their way inside and insisted he owed them money.
He was then beaten around the head with a metal pole before the intruders grabbed the ornamental samurai swords and made chilling threats to decapitate him.
The violent duo previously pled guilty over the disturbing incident, and have now returned to the dock at Aberdeen Sheriff Court to be sentenced.
Sheriff Graham Buchanan warned that such was the extent of Robertson’s record of violence, he could be someone who “can’t ever be trusted to reform”.
The sheriff discussed the possibility of referring the case to the High Court with the prospect of an order for “life-long restriction” being imposed.
Robertson previously pled guilty to assault to severe injury and robbery.
Defence agent Tony Burgess, representing Robertson, said: “There’s absolutely no question that he accepts total responsibility.
“He’s done everything within his power to bring closure to the victim.”
The solicitor explained Robertson found his own actions “utterly disgusting”.
He said a combination of alcohol and drugs had resulted in Robertson “taking absolute leave of his senses”.
Sheriff Buchanan imposed a six-year extended sentence on Robertson, a prisoner of HMP Grampian, with a four-year custodial term and a further two years of supervision.
Main previously pled guilty to assault to severe injury and robbery and also possession of a knife.
Solicitor Lynn Bentley, representing Main, said her client was also under the influence of drink and drugs.
Innocent victim ‘felt blood coming from his head’
She accepted that it was Main who used the iron bar during the assault.
Ms Bentley added Main had underlying mental health issues stemming from his childhood, and that, when released, he planned to make a “fresh start” in a new area.
Sheriff Buchanan imposed an extended sentence of six years and four months on Main, also a prisoner of HMP Grampian.
That consists of four years and four months in custody, and a further two years of supervision.
Fiscal depute Ruaridh McAlister previously told Aberdeen Sheriff Court the incident happened around 10.15pm on June 23 when the man spotted two strangers looking through his window.
Due to being concerned about what they were doing, the man went outside and asked them to leave.
Mr McAlister said: “He saw that Robertson was standing on a ladder and that Main had a metal bar approximately two feet in length in his possession.
“Robertson jumped off the ladder and walked towards the complainer before pushing him a number of times in the direction of his flat door.
“The complainer went back into his flat but was followed by the two accused who also entered the flat before he could close the door.”
‘Threatened to take each sword and cut him in a V shape’
The men pushed their victim into his living room and demanded money from him, claiming he owed them £1,500 and would get assaulted if he didn’t pay.
Mr McAlister said: “Main struck him three times to the left side of his head with the metal bar, immediately followed by striking him three times to the right side of his head and finally striking him again to the left side of his head.
“The complainer attempted to protect himself by putting his hands up to protect his head, during which he felt blood coming from his head.
“Main repeatedly struck him across the body and arms, whilst they continued their demands for money.”
For around 20 minutes they remained in the flat, making demands and threatening to steal items from him, with Robertson taking a watch off his wrist.
The man was then marched into his bedroom where Robertson and Main continued to strike him to the body and arms and demand cash.
Mr McAlister said: “During this assault, the accused each picked up an ornamental samurai sword from the bedroom.
Police found victim covered in blood
“Whilst in possession of a samurai sword, Robertson prodded the complainer in the body repeatedly with it and threatened to cut his head off and made motions with the sword of a sideways swipe to depict him decapitating him.
“Main also prodded his body with the sword and threatened to take each sword and cut him in a ‘V’ shape.”
He was then forced back into the living room where Robertson took a green jumper from the sofa and the pair left, taking their victim’s bicycle with them as they went.
The man phoned the police, who found him covered in blood before tracing Robertson and Main nearby.
Main was also found to have a Stanley knife in his pocket.
Their victim was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary suffering from a broken finger, broken shoulder, swelling and bruising to his face, a cut to his head which needed to be glued closed, and various other marks and bruises.
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