Robber used sgian dubh to steal gift store money

James Williams, 28, used the blade to steal almost 450 after asking the female employee at the Historic Connections store if he could inspect one of the knives.

He was initially handed a fake plastic version before demanding to see a more expensive metal sgian dubh which was in the display case.

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday, Williams admitted using the knife to assault staff member Emer Connaughton in June this year.

He brandished the blade and put it towards her stomach, demanding she hand over cash from the till before fleeing with the cash.

Fiscal depute Dev Kapadia said the woman was in the shop by herself at the time.

He added: "The incident took place at around 6.45pm. The shop sells various items, mainly low-value jewellery and traditional Scottish items and trinkets.

"Williams entered and began browsing around various displays and asked to be shown a sgian dubh.

"He was handed one from a locked display. The one he asked to see was a non-metal one, which is contained in a plastic sheath. It didn't have a blade.

"He asked for that to be replaced and then asked to be shown another one in a presentation box, which was clearly bladed."

The staff member then placed it on the counter and was initially followed by Williams.

"He pulled the sgian dubh from the presentation box and pushed her towards the till, pointed the blade and demanded the till be opened."

The woman then opened the till and ran screaming from the shop.

Witnesses ran to her assistance, one of them following Williams.

Williams got into a taxi but was told to get out because he was still carrying the blade.

The witness took a picture of Williams who was later picked up by the police.

When he was quizzed by detectives, Williams claimed: "It wasnae me."

Sheriff Derek McIntyre deferred sentence for reports.

The case against Williams, who is listed in court papers as a prisoner at Addiewell jail, West Lothian, is due to call again later this month.

No-one from Historic Connections wished to comment on the case when contacted by the Evening News.