A Dundee man who robbed an off-licence assistant at knifepoint was jailed for four years at Dundee Sheriff Court yesterday.

Michael McDougall (22) admitted on indictment that on June 24 at Haddows, Hilltown, he assaulted the assistant, presented a knife at him, demanded money from him and robbed him of £267.

A 22-year-old student was working in the off-licence at the time.

McDougall went in after customers had left and presented the knife and made to go to the tills behind the counter.

The accused asked the frightened shop assistant if there was any more money.

McDougall repeatedly told the assistant not to make any sudden movements and not to contact the police until 10 minutes after he had left the premises.

Police attended the scene and identified the accused from CCTV footage—he was subsequently traced and arrested.

During the police interview, the accused admitted his involvement in the crime, saying he decided to rob Haddows because he knew “they always hand over the money.”

He added he was experiencing heroin withdrawal.

Solicitor Grant Bruce said the accused acquired a drug addiction at Low Moss Prison last year.

Sentencing McDougall to four years imprisonment, Sheriff Alistair Duff said the courts, “will do their utmost to protect people who serve the public who are treated in this way.”