By Joy Watters

THE MANAGERS of a Lochee pub and of a carpet shop yesterday told a jury of their fear and shock when one morning a man came to their High Street premises demanding a percentage of the takings.

The jury took less than half an hour to unanimously find 32-year-old James Daniel Craig guilty of making the demands in a case which Sheriff Derek Pyle described as “bizarre but nonetheless terrifying’’ for the victims.

Craig, a prisoner at Perth, denied that on March 23, at the Sporting Lounge, High Street, Lochee, he conducted himself in a disorderly manner towards Phyllis Henry, and demanded that she deliver to him 10% of the weekly business takings on Friday March 27, all to her fear and alarm, and committed a breach of the peace.

He further denied a similar charge on May 23 at the Carpet Shed, High Street, Lochee, also demanding that 10% of the weekly business takings from the premises be delivered to him on March 27, all to the fear and alarm of Frank Neil and committing a breach of the peace.

Sporting Lounge manager Phyllis Henry (46), said she had been outside the pub about 11am on March 23 writing up the specials boards when she was approached by Craig who got out of a car and asked for directions.

She then went into the pub and Craig came in and asked for a pen and paper. She gave him that, he returned the pen and left.

The man came back a third time and asked her who the boss was.

She said she was and the man said he would be back on Friday for 10% of the week’s takings.

She said he was not shouting or bawling and it was just like they were having a conversation.

He had said something about robbing his father and she did not know what he meant.

She told him that she did not own the pub and it was someone else who owned the pub and Craig told her that the owner should be there on Friday.

When she asked him who she should say had been calling, the man mentioned Jim Craig and Hamish Craig.

The witness then said, “I told him if it was a joke to stop then because I don’t frighten easy but I was getting scared.”

She said the man said she need not worry and shook her hand.

He left and she phoned her boss and the police were contacted.

She said she had been left shaken by the incident.

Cross-examined, she maintained that the incident had happened.

She agreed it was a “bizarre” incident but said she thought the accused was being “fly” about it and catching her unaware when asking her for money.

James Clark (49), who was in the Sporting Lounge, said he had seen Phyllis after the man had spoken to her on the third occasion and she had looked very very nervous and pretty shocked.

Former Lochee licensee Christine Pettigrew (50) identified Craig as the man who came to the pub and said that Phyllis had been “very, very distressed and upset’’ after his visit.

The jury next heard from Frank Neil (55), who had been working at the Carpet Shed on March 23.

He had been standing outside the shop having a cigarette when Craig drew up in a car and asked who was in charge.

Mr Neil said he was and Craig asked for a word.

Mr Neil went towards his desk in the shop and Craig stood at the door and said he wanted 10% of the weekly take.

Mr Neil said it was not his shop and he only worked there, adding “I was kind of shocked.”

Craig had also said he wanted 10% as “protection’’ and Mr Neil took that to mean if the money was not paid something would happen to the shop.

Cross-examined by solicitor Jim Caird, Mr Neil dismissed the suggestion that Craig had been asking for a 10% discount on carpeting and flooring.

The defence led no evidence.

Calling for background reports, Sheriff Pyle remanded Craig in custody and the case was continued until September 15.