Cancer plea in knife case

A THUG who struck a defenceless man with a knife told his victim that he turned to crime because his granny was dying of cancer, a court heard.

Bryan Shearer, 21, pounced on Christopher Kerr, 61, whilst he walked his dog in Braidburn Valley Park in July 2011.

Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard yesterday how Shearer struck Mr Kerr before wrestling him to the ground.

He then ran off with £35, which belonged to Mr Kerr.

Shearer, of Firrhill Park, pleaded guilty to assault and robbery before Sheriff Michael O’Grady QC, who deferred sentence.