Armed carjacker who fled to Irish Republic faces jail

A MAN who fled the country after being charged with a gunpoint carjacking on a woman in Newington is facing jail after admitting the offence in court.

Paul Purves, 27, pointed an airgun that looked like a Glock pistol at the 57-year-old victim as she sat alone in her vehicle at traffic lights in September 2008, then stole her car.

Purves was traced by DNA recovered from the vehicle but failed to turn up for a High Court appearance the following year after being bailed.

The fugitive was detained in the Irish Republic on a European Arrest Warrant in September last year before being returned to Scotland earlier this year to face justice.

Purves admitted assaulting the car driver and robbing her of the vehicle and its contents.

He opened the door of the stationary car and demanded the motorist got out and presented an imitation firearm.

Purves also pleaded guilty to possessing the air pistol and failing to appear at a hearing.