Robber decked by 15-year-old after trying to steal his bike

A robber who tried to steal a 15-year-old boy’s bike but was then decked by the youngster has been jailed for 20 months.

Colin Cook, 44, pounced on the youngster in Glasgow city centre in June this year.

Cook was on bail at the time having held a needle at a 16-year-old boy’s neck and robbing his bag in April.

Cook pleaded guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to an assault and an attempt to rob.

He also admitted culpable and reckless conduct towards police officers.

The court heard Cook pounced on the 15-year-old on a Saturday night in Argyle Street.

Cook initially spoke to the boy and asked him about the value of his bike and where he could buy “vallies.”

“The boy grabbed Cook by the neck, pulled him and pinned him to the ground. He then punched him to the face, fearful about what Cook would do next.”
Adele MacDonald, Prosecutor

Prosecutor Adele MacDonald said: “Cook pressed his hands on the handlebars of the bike.

“Cook held a brick in the air to the side of the boy’s face before taking possession of the bike.

“The boy grabbed Cook by the neck, pulled him and pinned him to the ground. He then punched him to the face, fearful about what Cook would do next.”

Two police officers watched the events unfold and arrested Cook.

The hearing was earlier told of a separate incident whereby Cook followed a 16-year-old boy off a bus in Glasgow city centre.

Mr MacDonald said: “He brandished an uncapped hypodermic needle in the direction of the teenager.

“He said: ‘Give me your phone and your bag’ before holding the needle against his neck’. He then stated: ‘If you don’t give me it, I will cut your neck’.”

The teenager gave Cook his bag before both fled the scene in opposite directions.

The boy later caught up with police officers and led them to Cook who was near the location of the incident.

Cook told officers before a search that he didn’t have anything dangerous in his pockets.

The officers then recovered the uncapped needle as well as a bottle of the boy’s aftershave.

“He was under the influence of cocaine, heroin and valium and had no control of his senses.”
Bob McDowell, Defence

Bob McDowell, defending, said: “Both incidents were hapless and he behaved in a reckless manner – he was doomed to fail.

“He was under the influence of cocaine, heroin and valium and had no control of his senses.

“He is fortunate the victims didn’t suffer physical harm but they must have been frightened.”

Sheriff Alayne Swanson told Cook there was no alternative to a custodial sentence as the boys would have been “distressed” by his behaviour.