A FAILED robber whose drink and drug-fuelled attack was overpowered spectacularly by a store manager’s black belt karate skills has been jailed for nearly three years.
Liam Meighan, 22, asked at the till for a bottle of Buckfast and cigarettes, then said: “I’m sorry to do this but I’m going to take it because I’ve got a gun.”
Before the woman assistant reacted, manager Robert Chalmers appeared and imposed summary justice on Meighan, pinning him to the floor and landing a flurry of blows to the head.
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Iain Gray, prosecuting, said: “Unfortunately for the accused, Mr Chalmers is a fourth Dan black belt in martial arts.”
“He subdued the attacker in the belief he was in possession of a firearm and he was struck to the ground until he let go of the object.”
CCTV footage captured the incident at Premier Stores in Irvine, Ayrshire, showing Meighan carrying a plastic bag containing a stick before being overpowered and floored by Mr Chalmers.
Meighan, of Saltcoats, admitted assaulting staff, stating he had a gun, demanding alcohol and cigarettes, presenting an item in the shape of a gun and attempted robbery in June.
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He also admitted two breaches of bail curfew committed since the incident and was jailed for a total of 32 months.
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