Teenager Gary Ralston jailed over 'vicious robbery'

A Stirling teenager has been jailed for four years for carrying out a "vicious robbery" at the home of a friend.

Gary Ralston was part of a masked raid on the home of Marion Bowmaker in Cowie, Stirling, in December 2015.

Miss Bowmaker had looked after Ralston in 2014 after his teacher Bernadette Smith admitted engaging in sexual activity with him.

The 19-year-old had denied the assault and robbery, but the court heard he had later made a "full confession".

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Ericht told Ralston: "The Bowmakers took you in and treated you like a son.

"You repaid that kindness with a vicious robbery in their home."

The court heard that Ralston had joined Gavin Landsborough, 25, to target the Bowmaker family home.

Ralston texted Landsborough the night before the raid, which included a threat to beat up anyone in the house.

His accomplice replied that he had got weapons and gloves.

They later burst into Ms Bowmaker's house after she went to let her dog out.

Ralston kept her downstairs while Landsborough initially tried to hack into her son's room with an axe.

Ralston then joined him before a light was smashed with a baseball bat.

The pair grabbed three mobile phones, £20 in cash and a new Playstation 4 belonging to Ms Bowmaker's 19-year-old son Ben, who knew Ralston from primary school.

At one point, Landsborough called Ralston "Gary" before instead saying his name was "Johnnie".

But Ben Bowmaker told the jury he knew it was Ralston in his home - someone he described as an "old school friend".

The court heard that when the pair tried to flee, they initially could not open the door.

Landsborough then could not see through his balaclava - so ripped it off, allowing his victims to see his face.

The 25-year-old was the first to be caught by police at his home the next day. He had the games console along with the balaclavas and weapons.

He was later jailed for 40 months for his part in the crime.

Ralston had gone on trial after denying being involved. But during a meeting with social workers compiling a pre-sentencing report, he admitted he now wanted to tell the "truth" and make "a full confession".

His lawyer Drew McKenzie said: "He speaks of his shame at taking part in such a horrific offence.

"He acknowledges that, at one point, it was like a scene from a horror film."

The advocate added Ralston had an "unhappy childhood" and had felt "pressure" from Landsborough to get involved in the raid.