Glasgow man stole drugs and warned staff 'not to be heroes' in armed robbery of pharmacy

A criminal who staged an armed robbery at a pharmacy has been jailed for four and a half years.

A judge rejected a plea to spare Anthony Kinnon a further prison sentence and told him: “The ordeal must have been terrifying.”

Kinnon, 62, admitted assaulting three employees at Willis Pharmacy, at Anniesland Road, Glasgow, by presenting a knife at them and demanding medication on September 26, 2023.

Lord Cubie said Kinnon’s criminal record and the nature of the offence meant a custodial disposal had to be imposed, although he would limit the sentence.

The judge said: “The staff could see you were armed because you presented the knife and specifically warned the staff not to be heroes.”

During the robbery, Kinnon told staff: “I am not going to hurt you. Do not be a hero.”

He demanded that he be given the heroin substitute methadone and valium during the raid on the chemist’s shop in the Knightswood area. He was later taken to hospital after consuming drugs from the raid.

Defence counsel Allan Macleod told the High Court in Edinburgh: “He said to me from day one this was a suicide attempt.”

Kinnon was in hospital for a lengthy period after taking drugs, he said.

“This offence was motivated by a tragic desire by him to end his own life,” he said.

The defence counsel said Kinnon suffered from depression and anxiety and added: “He has issues with anger and there is a history of suicide attempts.”

Mr Macleod said Kinnon, who was living in homeless accommodation in Glasgow city centre, has spent 18 years in the prison system, including 13 years in solitary confinement.

He said Kinnon has been attending a complex needs service and for the first time was engaging with the support offered to him and there was confidence in a positive outcome. He said the imposition of a non-custodial sentence would result in him getting the support he really needs.

Mr Macleod said: “The man sitting in the dock today is not the same man who spent 13 years in solitary confinement and 18 years in custody.”