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Armed robber tackled by staff on CCTV is jailed

Watch: CCTV captures struggle with armed shop robber

An armed robber who was arrested after shop staff wrestled him to the ground has been jailed for nearly five years.

Robert Danskin, 36, was captured on CCTV in June trying to rob the Nisa local store in Abbey View, Dunfermline, using an imitation gun.

However, the cashier refused to hand over money while other staff ran in and subdued him on the floor.

Judge Lord Scott told Edinburgh High Court they should be "commended" for their bravery and sentenced Danskin to four years and eight months in jail.

Footage of the failed raid was shared widely on social media.

The court heard that Danskin committed the crime to try and pay off a £1,000 drug debt to dealers who had threatened to "kneecap" him.

Having heard from defence solicitor advocate Ann Ogg how Danskin had become addicted to crack cocaine, Lord Scott told him he had to go prison for the offence.

He added that staff stopping the robbery had "saved" Danskin from receiving a longer sentence had he succeeded.

Staff told BBC Scotland News that "autopilot had kicked in" during the incident, even though they all thought the gun was real.

They added it was only afterwards "that it really hit us."

Usman Javid CCTV image of staff grabbing would-be robber Robert Daneskin behind the counter. One man is behind Daneskin and has his arms wrapped around him. Daneskin is wearing a balaclava and blue coat, while holding an imitation gun and a bag in his hand Usman Javid
Several members of staff managed to subdue Danskin

CCTV footage shown to the court showed a masked Danskin enter the store and point a gun directly at the cashier.

Prosecutors described the gun as looking indistinguishable from a real weapon.

The cashier told him he wasn’t getting any money and shouted for help, at which point Danskin moved over the counter and began struggling with her, before threatening another woman.

At that point another worker leapt over the counter, punched Danskin and grabbed hold of him before more staff helped subdue the robber.

Danskin, of Dunfermline, admitted assaulting a store worker while brandishing an imitation firearm.

Lord Scott said Danskin still posed "a serious risk of harm to the public" and that his drug addiction was no excuse for his actions.

He added: “I hope you get the help and support you need to remain drug free.”