A career criminal who carried out three armed raids on Dundee shops after being freed early from prison has been jailed for almost seven years.
James Donoghue – who had already racked up 55 convictions – was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow.
The 43 year-old first struck at the Greens Local store in Albert Street at around 9.30pm on November 28 2023.
A security guard had spotted him, with an associate, trying to steal steaks.
Staff shut the front doors to stop the pair getting out.
Prosecutor Bill McVicar said: “Donoghue then pulled out a knife and held this in the direction of the security’s guard’s face.
“He pulled the doors apart and ran out the store.”
Further shop raids
Donoghue was back at the store on July 2 and tried to buy a bottle of alcopop.
The thug was on early release from prison for offences including assault.
He walked up to the counter, brandished a knife at a female worker and shouted: “Open the f***ing till or I will stab you.”
He also warned her not to press a panic alarm but she did and he fled empty-handed.
Donoghue targeted the SK News shop in King Street later that morning.
Armed with a screwdriver, he approached a female assistant and demanded money.
Donoghue yanked open the till to grab cash and also snatched around 70 e-cigarettes.
The crime was captured on CCTV.
Donoghue was sitting on a box, counting money, when he was traced by police.
He still had a bag with the vapes and a small black screwdriver.
Sentencing
He ended up in hospital the same day and went on to spit at a police officer.
Donoghue pled guilty to two charges of robbery and another of attempted robbery.
He further admitted behaving in a threatening and abusive manner.
Kris Gilmartin, defending, said Donoghue had been using hard drugs since around the age of 13.
The lawyer said: “At the time of the offences, he admitted he was only thinking of himself and drugs but he has now reflected on what he did.”
Lord Colbeck sentenced him to a total of six years and nine months and he will be supervised for a further three years.
The judge said: “It is inconceivable your conduct did not have a significant impact on those involved.”
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