Steven Doig had been a kitchen porter at the Golden Star Tandoori when he and another man used weapons to threaten the eatery’s owner after the restaurant had closed for the day.

The 19-year-old previously pleaded guilty to acting with another by having his face partially covered, assaulting two men at the restaurant, brandishing a knife and hammer at them and robbing them of a case containing £2,100.

Doig, of Lansbury Street, Alexandria, also admitted being in possession of a knife during the incident on Balloch Road. He appeared for sentencing at Dumbarton Sheriff Court last week.

Julie O’Hara, fiscal depute, told the court the incident took place on November 9 last year.

Doig went to his home with two other men and spoke of his intention to rob the Golden Star Tandoori.

Ms O’Hara said: “Some time around 10.30pm, three males left the accused’s address and walked on Balloch Road in the direction of the restaurant. The accused was wearing a heavy, dark-coloured coat with a hood.

“As they passed by, they put up their hoods before rushing to the restaurant.” The court heard one of the men said he wanted no part in the incident and stayed outside.

Inside the eatery, two men including the owner were in the office area watching football on a laptop. They had previously transferred the week’s takings, approximately £2,100, from the safe into a black laptop carry case with the intention of banking the money the following morning.

The men became aware of two men entering through a hatch of the public area of the takeaway.

Ms O’Hara continued: “Despite both males attempting to obscure their faces, they could identify one of the males as a current employee, Steven Doig.

“[The complainer] was initially scared by the males’ appearance and became more concerned when the accused Doig produced a knife, described as being slightly curved, with a five to six inch blade, in his right hand, and brandished it towards him.

“The second male produced a wooden hammer and brandished it towards [the complainer].” Doig brandished the knife at the witnesses, forcing them to back off, and grabbed the laptop bag. Both men fled from the scene towards Sweeney’s boat yard and on to a nearby path before making off in the direction of Alexandria. They were chased by the men from the restaurant, who then contacted police.

Officers were told Doig had previously indicated he had financial difficulties and he often asked to be ‘subbed’ some money, both when working and when attending while off-duty.

The following day, on November 10, two women were walking by the Clyde at Levengrove Park at around 1.30pm.

Ms O’Hara stated: “They spoke to a male who was counting a lot of bank notes.

“As he passed them, he said ‘I just found all this money in a bag in the water and it’s totally wet. I’m just going to dry it.

“The females walked down towards the Clyde bank in the direction from which the male had come and saw a breakdown card in the name of [the complainer].

“They also saw a black briefcase.” The women then contacted police.

Officers attended at Doig’s home later that day and he was taken to Clydebank Police Station.

Mr Sweeney, defending, told the court his client appeared as a first offender.

The lawyer said: “It is clearly a very serious matter.

“He is under no illusions as to the very serious position he finds himself in at your lordship’s court.” Sheriff Simon Pender deferred sentence in order to obtain a criminal justice social work report and a restriction of liberty order assessment.

Doig will return to court on September 14.