Thug’s mother saw knifepoint robbery

Ross Thompson, 22, assaulted Mary Brennan and Margaret Findlay at a credit union counter while brandishing a 12-inch blade and screaming “give me the f****** money” at them.

Livingston Sheriff Court was told that Thompson’s mother was one of the members of the public who watched in horror as he carried out the robbery.

She was with young children playing at the Fauldhouse Community Development Trust’s centre who had to be rushed from the building in tears.

Thompson – who fled with just £50 – was quickly traced by police.

He was on bail and had 15 previous convictions.

He had also been on two separate drug treatment and testing orders.

Thompson, a prisoner at HMP Addiewell, was jailed for two years yesterday after earlier pleading guilty to assault and robbery.