Fake gun man sent to jail

Sep 21 2009 by Lynn Jolly, Paisley Daily Express

A MAN who strolled into a pharmacy with a fake gun has been jailed for 10 months.

Paisley Sheriff Court heard that Robert Murdoch went into the shop to return a bottle of sunscreen but was so “out of it” that he didn’t know what he was doing.

Murdoch, 27, asked an assistant if he could exchange a bottle of sun tan lotion for his girlfriend.

But customers noticed he was carrying what appeared to be a gun and they alerted staff at Glenburn Pharmacy, in Skye Crescent, Paisley.

Police were called and later traced Murdoch to premises nearby.

When Murdoch, who was described as a prisoner at Barlinnie jail, appeared in court, he admitted conducting himself in a disorderly manner on June 20, entering the premises with an imitation firearm and placing staff and members of the public in a state of fear and alarm.

The court was told he admitted he didn’t know what he was doing because he was so “out of it” through substance abuse but that there had been no actual evil intent.

He also admitted committing the offence after being placed on bail at Dumbarton Sheriff Court in January.

After studying Murdoch’s record and hearing that he had served previous custodial sentences, Sheriff Robert Vaughan jailed him for 10 months.