Armed robbers hold up Clansman pub in Burnbank

Apr 1 2010 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

A PLUCKY barmaid fought off masked raiders with ice jugs before they held a knife to her throat at a Hamilton pub.

Debi Glancy battered two masked raiders armed with five-inch blades with jugs after they burst into the Clansman in Burnbank Centre.

The pair wearing ski-masks pinned the 39-year-old against the cash register and held the weapon to her throat then demanded takings from the till.

A third man, who kept watch at the door, was caught on a CCTV camera.

About 60 people were celebrating a 40th party in the pub’s lounge when the frightening incident occurred about 11.30pm Saturday. A customer from the lounge

sprung into action and chased the raiders out of the bar. Fearing for their safety, the raiders fled on foot with nearly £1300.

They were last seen sprinting along Donaldson Street and Glasgow Road. Barmaid Maggie Larkins told the Advertiser she feared for her life and has been having

nightmares since the incident.

“Two of them came in with knifes and pulled ski-masks down to cover their faces,” she said.

“Debi told them to get lost and threw jugs at them. But the jugs didn’t stop them.

“I was standing with my back to them when they came in, and I turned around and all I could see was a flashing five inch blade.

“I thought this is it, they are going to kill me. It was that close. I went over to the corner and put my hands up in the air.

“A customer came from the party and started shouting at them. They pointed the knife at him and he grabbed a stool and cracked them over the head with it. He lifted

another stool and threw it at them. They ran for their lives from the pub.”

Lynn McCreadie was in the lounge when the drama unfolded and walked into the bar to find out what the commotion was about.

“I didn’t realise they had stolen money,” she said.

“They weren’t expecting to be challenged or a customer to hit them with the stools. “They thought nobody would be in the bar as the party was taking place in the lounge."

Janette Kimm, mother of the licensee Scott Kimm, said they have stepped up security following the incident.

“They threatened the barmaid with a knife and told her to get the till open. “She was very traumatised by the incident but she’s determined not to let them beat her

and she was back at her work the following day.

“Scott was with her during the shift to make sure she was okay.”

All three suspects, who are in their late teens to early 20s, have been caught on CCTV camera in the area.

The first suspect was about 5ft 8in to 6ft and wearing a dark-hooded tracksuit top with stripes on the arms, black tracksuit bottoms, trainers and dark gloves.

The second was about 5ft 6in to 5ft 10ins and wearing a grey-hooded top, dark gloves and tracksuit bottoms. The final suspect was about 5ft 6in to 5ft 10in and

wearing a light-coloured tracksuit.

Detective constable Alan MacDonald, of Hamilton CID, who is hunting the trio, said: “I'm appealing to anyone who has information regarding this incident or who may

know the men involved to come forward and assist with our enquiry.”

Witnesses should contact Hamilton CID on 483327 or 483329, or alternatively call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where calls are free and anonymity can be

maintained.