A THUG who repeatedly apologised as he robbed an elderly shopkeeper at knifepoint of £80 and a packet of cigarettes avoided jail today.

Matthew Carroll, 35, presented the blade at Mary Hack, 64, at the RS McColl shop in Glasgow’s Castlemilk last August.

Carroll asked Miss Hack for 20 cigarettes before leaning over the till, showing her a small knife and saying: “I’m sorry about this.”

The dad pleaded guilty to the robbery at Glasgow Sheriff Court in July.

Carroll was put under supervision for two years and tagged for 12 months keeping him indoors between 8pm and 8am.

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Sheriff Sean Murphy QC also banned him from entering the shop.

Sheriff Murphy said: “You should be thoroughly ashamed of your behaviour.

“Whatever your personal problems in your life you shouldn’t be taking it out on other people or using Valium.

“It’s utterly disgraceful behaviour and you have no excuse for carrying out this type of offence.”

The court heard the shopkeeper initially told Carroll that she was unable to open the till and he asked her to scan the cigarettes.

Miss Hack opened the till and Carroll took £80 in cash and the cigarettes.

Prosecutor Mark Allan told the court Carroll repeatedly stated: “I’m sorry about this” through the incident.

Miss Hack was “shaken and upset” as Carroll fled from the shop.

Carroll was later traced coming out his flat, also in Castlemilk, wearing the same clothes and was arrested.

Lawyer Neil Stewart, defending, told the court Carroll has a Valium addiction linked to a parent's death a few years ago.

Mr Stewart added: “Mr Carroll recognises what he did and it was out of character.

“He has a record but there is nothing of this kind of offence.

“This was a very serious robbery, but at the lower end.”