Faked robbery bid caught on CCTV

John Tait was found injured in the supermarket

An Edinburgh shop supervisor staged a robbery at his work - only to be caught out by the store's own CCTV camera.

John Tait got friend Christopher McGirr to beat him up before he stole more than £3,300 from the safe at Scotmid in Calder Road on 24 July last year.

Tait, 21, who was found bleeding, said he had been attacked and robbed.

However, he and McGirr, 20, later admitted staging the robbery. They will be sentenced at Edinburgh Sheriff Court next month.

The court heard that when police checked CCTV footage they saw Tait opening the shop on his day off and going in with McGirr.

Trainee supervisor

The pair, who regularly gamble together, admitted they had made up the plan at the Stanley Berkley Casino in Rutland Street, Edinburgh.

Tait admitted opening the safe and later told police he had also stolen another £3,000 from it just days before.

Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard Tait had worked at the store in Calder Road, Edinburgh, for some time before being promoted to trainee supervisor.

The shop manager was suspended at the time and Tait had cash handling duties.

He was bleeding from injuries. His mobile phone was nearby and was broken and the safe within the premises was open Carol Urquhart Fiscal depute

Fiscal depute Carol Urquhart said two cleaners had arrived for work at the shop on 24 July last year to find the window shutters up but the lights off.

"When they entered the premises they found John Tait lying on the floor," she said.

"He was bleeding from injuries. His mobile phone was nearby and was broken and the safe within the premises was open.

"It was later that CCTV evidence indicated that the accused had opened the shop and the co-accused had entered the premises along with him.

"He agreed that both he and the co-accused had staged the robbery."

Tait pleaded guilty to stealing £3,000 from the safe on 22 July last year.

He and McGirr also admitted planning to falsely stage an assault and robbery at the store, and reporting it to police.

Tait admitted opening the safe and stealing £3,344, while McGirr pleaded guilty to repeatedly striking Tait on the head and body.