William McCulloch admits 'mallet attack' raids
A man is facing a prison term after he admitted assault and robbery charges over raids at two Glasgow bookmakers.
William McCulloch, 24, admitted robbing Ladbrokes, in West Nile Street, of £500 on 7 June, after brandishing a mallet.
He also repeatedly hit the manager of William Hill Bookmakers, in Nithsdale Road, over the head with the wooden mallet during a failed raid on 10 June.
Sentence on McCulloch, who has previous convictions for assault and possession of a knife, was deferred.
The High Court in Glasgow heard how McCulloch entered the William Hill shop as manager Alan Wood was about to close up for the night.
McCulloch shouted at him to hand over all the shop's cash before striking the 56-year-old on the head with the mallet.
Advocate depute Paul Kearney, prosecuting, told the court: "A struggle then ensued, during which the accused struck the complainer several more times on the head.
"Mr Wood fought back and refused to hand over the keys to the office. He was punched and hit with the mallet again.
"However, Mr Wood managed to escape and ran to a nearby pub for help. He was taken to hospital where he was found to have two cuts to his head. He was off work for some considerable time after the incident."
The court heard that police found a pair of jogging trousers, a jacket and a mallet dumped in a nearby garden.
The mallet and the trousers were stained with Mr Wood's blood.
Judge Lady Stacey deferred sentence on McCulloch until next month and told him: "You will remain in custody."