Robber jailed for ransacking house while schoolgirl hid under bed
Michael Docherty, 35, today pled guilty to a charge of robbery
Michael Docherty, 35, today pled guilty to robbing a house while a schoolgirl hid under her bed in fear.
The 16-year-old had just finished an exam and returned to her family's home in Glasgow's Hyndland area.
The teenager heard a noise coming from her bedroom and was horrified to discover Docherty and an accomplice stealing from her house.
The duo were unaware of the girl as they ransacked the property.
Prosecutor Chris Farrell told Glasgow Sheriff Court: "She called 999 and hid under her bed.
"She texted her mother and friends that there were people in the house.
“She heard one of the men in her room who said they had found a gold watch.”
Police soon arrived with the house described as being in "disarray". The pair were still inside when officers got there.
Their loot included an iMac computer, keys for an Audi car, jewellery, a handbag and an iPhone.
Docherty pleaded guilty to a robbery charge at Glasgow Sheriff Court today.
Linda Findlay, defending, said “He didn’t know there was another person in the property.
“He was shocked and realises if a member of his family was in the house when someone was stealing property he would be horrified.”
Sheriff Andrew Cubie jailed the dad of five for a total of 17 months.
It emerged Docherty was on licence at the time having been freed early from a jail term imposed for a similar offence
Sheriff Cubie said: “This will have been a terrifying experience for a young girl".
Hear all the latest news from across Glasgow and the West on the hour, every hour, at Clyde 1. Listen on FM, via our Radio Clyde app, on your DAB radio, online at Clyde1.com, or say ‘Play Clyde 1’ on your Smart Speaker.