A drug addict, who tried to rob a teenager while wearing a “Scream” mask in Moray, has been jailed.
Robert Lawson, 36, repeatedly demanded money from the teenager while holding a hammer after stopping him in Tyock Industrial Estate in Elgin.
At the town’s Sheriff Court yesterday, Sheriff Linda Smith described the teenager’s ordeal as a “frightening experience”.
Defence solicitor Steven Carty said his client had suffered “chronic” addiction to class-A drugs throughout his adult life.
He said: “He was quite clearly under the influence of drugs at the time of the offence.”
Fiscal Martina Eastwood told the court the victim, who was 18 at the time of the incident, was walking to work shortly after 10pm on December 12.
But after entering the industrial estate, he felt a hand on his shoulder and turned round.
Mrs Eastwood said: “He was then faced with a man who was six-foot tall and of heavy build wearing a white and black mask, similar to that in the film Scream. He was also wearing a dark hooded top with the hood up.”
Lawson demanded the teenager hand over all his money, but when he said he did not have any, Lawson demanded his bank card and phone instead before giving up and walking away.
During the altercation Lawson, who is currently in custody at Low Moss prison, was holding a hammer, but did not brandish it.
Mr Carty said his client had no memory of the night and that he was “aghast and disgusted” at his actions.
Sheriff Smith said: “This was a young man making his way to work and he did not require to be assaulted in this way. I’m not prepared to take the risk of letting you out.”
Lawson was sentenced to 409 days in prison for the attempted robbery and assault.