iStockA knife-wielding man was chased by brave supermarket staff after he stabbed a female cashier.
Ross Barratt struck at the Aldi store in Glasgow’s Cardonald in a desperate bid for cash on March 4 last year.
A 42-year-old employee was left scarred for life after she was knifed on the body by the 44-year-old, who demanded she open the till.
After Barratt failed to get his hands on any money, he raced out the shop on Paisley Road West.
Jurors at the High Court in Glasgow heard two workers decided to tackle armed Barratt and initially went on foot after him.
A man was driving past at the time with his two sons and stopped to also offer help catching the robber.
The two Aldi workers got into the motor before the pair, and the dad leapt out when they caught sight of Barratt after driving a short distance.
One of the sons told the trial that he recalled “a verbal altercation” in the street.
Barratt – described as “aggressive” – was heard to say: “Let’s have it.”
He ran off again before the men got back in the car and followed him to a tower block at Tinwald Path, about half a mile away from the Aldi.
The son said: “One of the Aldi workers got out, ran across the road and followed the guy up an alleyway to some high-rise flats.”
Barratt got away to a property there.
Police arrived at the scene and followed a blood trail after Barratt injured himself while fleeing from the shop.
Officers discovered him in a blood-bath sixth-floor flat after forcing entry.
It emerged Barratt had gone on to attack another man who lived there.
Describing the scene, PC Gary Hutchinson said: “A male walked towards and appeared covered in blood.
“He had quite a laceration across his face. He was calm with us, but appeared shaken.
“It was clear something had happened.”
Barratt ended up being arrested for the raid at Aldi and the attack at the flat.
He pleaded guilty during the trial to assault and attempted robbery, threatening behaviour as well as having a knife.
Barratt had denied attempting to murder the man.
He was instead convicted of assaulting the man to his severe injury, permanent disfigurement and to the danger of his life.
Jurors concluded he was acting under provocation at the time.
After the verdict, prosecutor Kath Harper KC revealed Barratt had more than 40 previous convictions, including for violence, dishonesty and drugs.
Judge Alistair Watson remanded Barratt in custody as sentencing was deferred until next month.
He told Barratt: “These are self-evidently extremely serious matters.
“The court has to consider what level of risk you may pose in the future.
“It is clear you are a man who has had difficulty with drugs. I will be interested to get a fuller picture of the person you are and what lead you to this desperate situation.”
Follow STV News on WhatsApp
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
