An attempted robbery at a convenience store in Edinburgh took an unexpected turn when the shopkeepers responded to the armed assailant with laughter, ultimately causing him to flee empty-handed. The incident, which occurred on the evening of November 27 last year, saw Finlay Crawshaw, 21, enter the News Plus store brandishing a large kitchen knife and demanding cash. However, his attempt to intimidate the employees backfired spectacularly as they found his actions amusing and informed him that there was no money in the till.
Attempted Robbery Escalates into Humiliation
CCTV footage captured the moment Crawshaw entered the premises around 10:30 PM, waving the knife and shouting at the two staff members. His aggressive demeanor was met with a surprising lack of fear. Instead of complying with his demands, the employees began to laugh, questioning his threat and stating they had no money to give. Crawshaw, visibly flustered by their reaction, was heard asking, “You laughing at me?” and “You’ve got no money?” before ultimately retreating from the store without any takings. The shopkeepers’ composed and humorous response effectively neutralized the threat.
Subsequent Robbery and Arrest
Following the failed attempt at the convenience store, Crawshaw proceeded to a nearby takeaway approximately 15 minutes later. There, he again brandished the red-handled kitchen knife at two employees, successfully robbing them of an undisclosed sum of cash. This second incident marked a more successful, albeit still criminal, endeavor for the young robber.
The court heard that Crawshaw, originally from Bolton, Lancashire, had also committed a similar robbery at the Slateford Express store on November 9 of the same year. In that instance, he entered the shop, demanded cash and cigarettes, and fled with the stolen goods. The assistant at Slateford Express managed to activate a panic alarm during the robbery.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
Crawshaw appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court from custody on May 28, his 21st birthday, and pleaded guilty to three charges of assault and robbery. He was subsequently remanded and brought back for sentencing on June 16. Sheriff Kenneth Campbell KC imposed a total sentence of three years imprisonment. Additionally, a 12-month supervised release order was put in place, meaning Crawshaw will be monitored by authorities upon his release from custody.
Details of the Robberies
During the court proceedings, fiscal depute Corey Laouadi provided details of the offenses. The first robbery at Slateford Express occurred around 6:05 AM on November 9, where Crawshaw, with his face covered, brandished the knife and demanded money. He reached over the counter, taking cash and cigarettes before fleeing. The assistant had pressed the panic alarm during this incident.
The subsequent robberies on November 27 took place between 10:30 PM and 10:45 PM. After being laughed out of the News Plus store, Crawshaw moved along Gorgie Road to the Chippy Junction takeaway. There, he again displayed the large kitchen knife, shouting for the staff to open the till. He grabbed a handful of notes from the cash register and was last seen running towards Gorgie Mill Road.
Following these events, police received intelligence that led them to raid two properties in Edinburgh. During these raids, the large kitchen knife used in the attacks was discovered and seized. Firearms officers were initially deployed to help track the suspect, but Crawshaw was not apprehended until several days later.
The Impact of Unexpected Reactions
The case highlights an unusual aspect of criminal encounters: the unpredictable nature of victim responses. While typically met with fear and compliance, the shopkeepers’ decision to laugh at the armed robber created a situation where the perpetrator’s confidence was undermined. This unexpected reaction, captured on CCTV, not only prevented the immediate theft but also contributed to the eventual identification and prosecution of Finlay Crawshaw. The incident serves as a reminder that even in the face of threat, composure and an unconventional response can sometimes de-escalate a dangerous situation.
