Addict embarked on terrifying crime wave to feed his drug habit

Oct 8 2008 East Kilbride News

A DRUG addict armed robber who targeted an East Kilbride petrol station as part of a 35-day crime spree has been jailed for eight years.

Ronald Stewart struck at the Esso garage on the Kingsway on July 21, this year.

The raid was one of nine robberies the 46-year-old carried out in just seven weeks in order to feed his crack cocaine habit.

Stewart – who has five previous High Court convictions for assault and robbery – committed the Esso raid just four months after being released on licence from an earlier eight-year sentence.

Judge Lord Turnbull told Stewart at the High Court in Glasgow last week: “You breached the trust put upon you by committing these offences while on licence.

“Given the serious nature of these charges and repetivity of your offending, I must impose a substantial sentence.”

Stewart had admitted targeting off-sales, petrol stations and convenience stores in Glasgow and East Kilbride between June 30 and August 3 as he stole to feed his drug habit.

In each case employees were left terrified after Stewart threatened them with a large knife and demanded money.

James Carmichael, prosecuting, said: "During each robbery he either wore a hat or pulled his jacket hood up.

“He entered the premises with a knife and threatened the assistants.

"The offences realised in excess of £1400. None of the victims were injured in the raids, but some were so traumatised they have since left their employment."

The court heard one woman who was robbed twice by Stewart now suffers panic attacks and has had to undergo counselling.

Another of his victims was on her first day at work when Stewart brandished a blade at her and robbed the shop of cash.

Stewart was arrested for the assault and robbery on August 3 and he confessed to the other eight.

Solicitor advocate Duncan Hughes, defending, told the court: "Police who spoke to him formed the view he was ashamed of what he had done."

Mr Hughes told the court that, after his release from jail, Stewart tried unsuccessfully to find work and then began offending.

He added: "My client regrets the seriousness of these offences and the impact his offences has had on the various victims."

Stewart committed his first assault and robbery in 1981 and has twice been freed on licence.

The first time was in 2001 when he was released two years early from a six year sentence. Later that year he was jailed for eight years for another armed robbery and released in April this year.