A KNIFE-wielding thug was battered with a mop when he robbed his local off-licence, a court was told yesterday.

The High Court in Glasgow heard that 49-year-old Stephen Hoggan walked into One O One in Dyke Road, Knightswood, at closing time, with his hood up and a snood covering part of his face.

The shop assistant recognised Hoggan as a regular and when she saw him go behind the counter, she shouted: “Get away from there.”

Hoggan produced a knife and told her: “I want the f***ing money. Open the f***ing till.”

Prosecutor Owen Mullan said: “[The shop assistant] told the accused he was getting 'f*** all' and began hitting him with the mop she was using to clean the floor.”

The court was told that the woman kept hitting Hoggan and eventually he fled with two bottles of alcohol which he grabbed from a shelf.

In court Hoggan admitted robbing the store on April 4.

He also admitted robbing another One O One in Alexandra Parade, in the east end of the city, the day before at knifepoint and making off with £37.

Again he was hit on the head and body with a mop by a shop assistant while he grabbed money from the till.

Hoggan also admitted a third robbery at the One O One in Battlefield Road, Mount Florida, on April 5.

Mr Mullan said: “The value of the robbery was limited to a quantity of cigarettes and alcohol.”

The Lord Justice Clerk, Lady Dorrian, jailed Hoggan for five years and three months.