A man with a “dreadful record” has been handed a seven-year sentence after admitting holding a blade to the throat of a Dundee student in an attempted robbery.
Shaun Dunn, a prisoner in Perth, admitted assaulting Ian Smith at an ATM outside Co-op on Brook Street on February 13.
Dundee Sheriff Court heard how Dunn had pounced on Mr Smith from behind and thrust a knife to his victim’s throat as he withdrew £10.
Sheriff Alastair Brown Dunn ordered Dunn to serve a custodial term of four and a half years as part of the sentence, with the remainder of the term to be served under supervision.
Dunn’s defence solicitor Ian Houston said the drug addict felt “institutionalised” in prison and did not know how to integrate himself in society when released.
Mr Houston described Dunn’s record as “dreadful”.
Sheriff Brown said: “The complainer will have been traumatised by this; in the impact statement is says that quite clearly.
“I think my principle duty is to the protection of the public.
“You have a bad record, not only of theft, but also having, or using, bladed weapons and of assaulting people.”
Mr Smith suffered cuts to his neck as a result of the crime.
Dunn struggled with Mr Smith, threatened to stab him and demanded “every penny” from his account. The court was previously shown CCTV footage of the attack, which only ended when two men approaching the store went to Mr Smith’s aid after he shouted for help.
One grabbed Dunn’s right arm, which allowed Mr Smith to push him away.
Dunn then fell over and dropped the knife but grabbed it again and shouted to the three men: “You are going to get stabbed.”
However, he fled from the scene and was later traced by police.
Mr Houston added: “There was no real chance of him getting away with this.
“It seems it was doomed to fail as it was done in the open street. The shop was open and there were passers-by. In fact, one of the passers-by recognised him.
“He was under the influence of Valium at the time but that is no explanation for what he did.”
Dunn’s sentence was backdated to February 15. Dunn thanked Sheriff Brown as he was taken away into custody.
