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A store worker who confronted an armed robber brandishing a “realistic” imitation firearm was yesterday praised by a sheriff for her bravery.
Lord Scott praised Cheryl Gourlay's courage after watching footage of Robert Danskin trying to rob a shop in Dunfermline, Fife.
Robert Danskin brandished a replica firearm during the Dunfermline break-in attempt
The High Court in Edinburgh heard how the 36-year-old entered the store wearing a balaclava and brandishing a gun described in court by prosecutor Anna Chishoim as a “realistic” imitation gun.
She also said it looked “indistinguishable” from a real gun.
Danskin demanded that employee Cheryl Gourlay fill a bag with money before jumping over a counter and attacking her.
But Mrs. Gourlay stood in front of the cash register and refused to comply with his requests.
Danskin jumped over the counter with the replica gun, but worker Cheryl Gourlay fought back
Ms Chisholm said: 'Cheryl Gourlay told him he wasn't getting any money.'
She then shouted to her colleagues who came running to her aid.
The court was then shown footage of the incident which was captured by CCTV cameras.
Lord Scott saw colleagues run up to the counter and a member of staff take the pistol from Danskin's hand as he punched him.
His colleagues took Danskin's balaclava off his head, threw him to the ground and held him until police arrived to arrest him.
The court heard that Danskin was convicted of a similar offense in 2007.
Lord Scott will defer sentence, adding: 'I am inclined to request reports. Despite the true bravery of several individuals who intervened, this must have been a horrific incident in which no one other than the accused knew it was not a real firearm.'
The story emerged after Danskin, also from Dunfermline, pleaded guilty to assaulting Cheryl Gourlay while wearing a face mask.
The attempted robbery took place at a Nisa store in Dunfermline, Fife
The charge Danskin admitted to states he acted aggressively while demanding money and brandishing an imitation firearm at her.
He also admitted to grabbing and pulling her body while trying to steal money from her.
Ms Chisholm told the court that after his arrest, Danskin told officers he was not a “bad person”. She said he was in debt to drug dealers and feared he and his partner would be harmed by them.
She added: 'He said “my girlfriend and I have a £1,000 crack debt. In a weird way, I wanted to get caught so I could go to jail and be safe there.”
Ms Chisholm also told the court that officers examined the firearm and discovered it was an Airsoft gun – Airsoft is a game similar to paintball.
The deputy defender said the gun was originally covered in blue paint to keep it in compliance with firearms legislation.
She added: 'But it was removed at some point. This gives it the appearance of a realistic imitation firearm.
Ms Chisholm also said that in appearance it appeared “indistinguishable” from a real firearm.
Defense lawyer Ann Ogg asked Lord Scott to postpone sentencing.
She added: “His lordship might want to ask for a report.”
Lord Scott agreed and told Danskin he had committed a 'terrible crime'.
He will be sentenced at Glasgow High Court next month.
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