'RISK TO PUBLIC'

Knife wielding thug who held up Glasgow McDonald’s is put behind bars for 6 years

A ROBBER who held up a Glasgow McDonald’s with a knife and developed a drinking problem at just 12 years old was jailed for six years today. 

Dad-of-one Paul Gough, 32, a former mechanical engineer, carried out three armed raids in his local community  - the first two armed with a realistic-looking imitation gun and the third armed with a knife.

When he was shown CCTV footage of the way he treated staff at the three businesses during the robberies he said he was 'ashamed.'

Defence counsel Tony Lenehan told the court of Gough’s troubled childhood, saying: “He was a problem drinker from the age of 12, as shocking as that is to relate.

“However he is not an unintelligent man, he is a capable man and he qualified as a mechanical engineer.”

Mr Lenehan said that Gough's life went on a downward spiral after he was made redundant.

But today Judge Lady Stacey ordered Gough, Springburn, to be monitored in the community for two years after his release from prison because of the danger he poses to the public.

She told Gough: “You know what you did was very frightening for the shop employees and restaurant workers. 

“The use of imitation firearms and knives cannot be tolerated. 

“It is clear you have expressed regret and were ashamed when you saw CCTV footage and realised it was very frightening for the people involved.

"You present a risk of serious harm to the public."

The High Court in Glasgow heard that Gough, who has been a problem drinker since the age of 12, struck at a petrol station, grocery store and a McDonalds restaurant in Springburn, Glasgow.

The crimes were carried out between 16 October and 6 December last year.

The 32 year-old was armed with what appeared to be a firearm when he stole around £120 from the Shell garage in Springburn Road, on October 16, last year.

Two weeks later on 28 October 2019, he targeted the Shopsmart Store in Hawthorn Street.

Gough - again brandishing a weapon - yelled at a worker: "Get out the way, you f*****g bam."

But he only got his hands on alcohol before fleeing the scene.

The final incident was an early hours raid at the McDonalds again in Springburn Road, on 6 December last year.

This time he brandished a knife and stated to staff: "It will be alright. 

“I am not going to hit you."

Gough escaped with £80. 

He was later captured after a media appeal.

Gough pled guilty to three charges of assault and robbery.