Robber threatened staff at three shops in just over an hour

The son of a shopkeeper robbed two stores and attempted to rob a third at gunpoint in the space of 95 minutes.

Arun Khaira, 24, threatened staff with an imitation handgun at two shops in Glasgow and one in Milngavie in January.

He used a white BMW 1 series as his getaway car at the three raid.

At the High Court in Glasgow on Monday, Khaira admitted robbing the PHB Superstore in Glasgow’s Sandbank Street and the Scotmid Convenience Store on Southmains Road, Milngavie, on January 11.

He also admitted an intent to rob Shopsmart in Bilsland Drive – between those two incidents – in the Ruchill area of Glasgow.

Khaira stole £150 from the PHB Superstore and £319.94 from Scotmid.

The court heard the raids began at 8.10pm when Khaira walked into the PHB Superstore and produced a black-coloured handgun from his left jacket pocket.

He told shopkeeper Imran Manzoor: “Gimme the money and open the till. It’s not a joke mate.” Mr Manzoor believed the gun was real and hand over cash from the till.

Khaida then calmly walked out the store and drove to Shopsmart arriving at 9.15pm. He pulled out the gun and demanded money. He was told “Get tae f***” by shopworker Shamaz Pervais and left.

At 9.45pm he was at Scotmid robbing the store before driving off in the BMW. At the Milngavie store he had told staff: “I’m not here to hurt anyone. I’m one of the good guys.”

The gun was dumped in a bush in Main Street, Milngavie, and discovered on January 15.

Prosecutor Greg Farrell said: “The gun was forensically analysed and a mixed DNA profile was obtained. The accused was the major contributor.”

When Khaira was interviewed by police he denied any involvement.

However, when his phone was examined it was revealed that he had money problems.

Mr Farrell added: “He stated his intention to commit a robbery via text message in order to get money as a result of these troubles.

“The accused has previous convictions for road traffic offences and a charge of assault to severe injury and permanent disfigurement for which he received a community payback order.

“The accused has occasionally worked in his father’s shop.”

The court was told the gun was an imitation gun capable of firing ball bearings.

Judge Lady Stacey deferred sentence on Khaira, who appeared via a video link from prison, until June to obtain background reports and remanded him in custody.

His defence counsel Euan Dow will give his plea in mitigation when the case calls again.