Comrie couple experience frightening carjacking attempt

Apr 23 2010 by Lynn Duke, Strathearn Herald

A CARJACKER with a history of violence was chased off by two have-a-go-heroines after he tried to swipe a car from outside their local shop.

Liam Lamont (27) from Backwood Court in Clackmannan, threatened the driver as he sat waiting for his mum in Comrie’s Drummond Street.

The mother and son, who do not wish to be named, are still reeling from the experience.

The woman said: “My son thought the man wanted a light, but the chap threatened him and demanded his car.

“My son came running into the shop looking shocked saying his car was being stolen. I ran out and saw someone was in it trying to rev it up.

“I was halfway over the road when I was pulled back. I realised this was for the best as the person could have had a weapon, so I immediately rang the police. Then I just went to pieces.

“However, two ladies in the shop heard me shouting and they took over. They were brilliant.”

Without a thought for themselves, Gillian Brock and Carrie Smith ran over and chased Lamont out of the car.

He was caught by police within the hour and appeared at Perth Sheriff Court on March 24 where he pleaded guilty to stealing a car from Drummond Street, on February 23, 2010. He also admitted a second charge of attempting to drive the car with 79mics. of alcohol, the legal limit is 35.

Sentence on the accused had been deferred until March 24 for the preparation of community service, psychiatric, restriction of liberty order and social inquiry reports.

Lamont was put on probation for 18 months on the first charge with a condition that he undertake alcohol counselling and treatment.

Although he was admonished on the second charge, he was also banned from driving for 18 months.

The court heard that Lamont – who also gave addresses in Main Street, Alloa, and Malloch Buildings, Comrie – admitted a string of previous convictions.

In 2004 he was given 18 months for a robbery, aggravated while he was on bail. He was then jailed for 18 months for assault in 2005 and in 2006 was given a 40-month jail term for an assault and robbery involving a knife.