BALLINGRY'S Brian Martin interrupted the High Court, in Edinburgh last midweek to plead guilty to assaulting and robbing a Perthshire businesswoman’s daughter of £200,000 of jewellery after he heard her give evidence.

Brian Martin, 58, interrupted proceedings at the High Court in Edinburgh to apologise to Sarah Gloag, daughter of Ann Gloag.

Martin, well known in the Benarty area, listened to the hairdresser tell the Court how two men forced their way into her Perthshire home in January of this year.

She said she held a knife held to her throat and was threatened before she and husband Sundeep were tied up.

Martin suddenly decided to stop proceedings. From the dock, he shouted an apology to Ms Gloag, who was standing in the witness box.

He said: “I’m sorry Mrs Gloag. Please accept my heartfelt apologies – you and your family shouldn’t have to go through this.”

Addressing temporary judge Paul Arthurson QC, he then said: “Your honour – I wish to change my plea from not guilty to guilty.”

As she left court, Ms Gloag looked to Martin and said “thank you”.

The admission of guilt came on the third day of proceedings against Martin and 40-year-old Christopher McMultan, who still denies all charges brought against him.

As well as admitting robbing Ms Gloag on January 19, Martin pleaded guilty to robbing David Gilfoyle and Joanne Miles at a house in Muthill, Perthshire, on January 18.

The Court had heard in evidence how Ms Gloag said she was doing some DIY work at her property in Perthshire when two men came to her front door. “I asked them ‘can I help you? Are you lost?:she said.

Martin then produced a knife and forced his way inside the property with the second man.

The evidence led stated that Martin held a knife to her throat and she was ordered to get on the ground. She was tied up with tape and asked where her safe was.

The Court heard her husband took Martin upstairs and eventually they came back down with a plastic bag.

Ms Gloag said Martin and the second man then left and she and her husband were able to free themselves.

Sentence on Martin was deferred until a later date and he was called to give evidence as a Crown witness.

However, he claimed he could not remember who his accomplice was or committing the robbery, but felt after hearing Ms Gloag’s evidence he must have been responsible.

Martin also pleaded guilty to assaulting David Gilfoyle and Joanne Miles, compelling them to lie face down on the floor, binding them with tape.

He further admitted compelling Mr Gilfoyle to disclose his bank card pin before robbing him of a wallet and its contents.

McMultan pleaded not guilty to the charge and continued to maintain his innocence.