A pair of armed robbers have pled guilty to two terrifying home invasions in which they made off with more than £7,000 in cash.
Patrick Keenan, 23, and Patrick Mooney, 41, told one terrified family member in a home in Chryston: "shut up or I will kill you".
The duo raided a flat in East Calder, West Lothian, first on February 13, 2021. There, they confronted two young girls aged eight and 12 and warned them: "Comply and we will not hurt you" before making off with £2,300 in cash.
The violent robbers then struck again five days later at the house in Chryston, North Lanarkshire, bagging a further £5,000.
Keenan and Mooney yesterday pled guilty at the High Court in Glasgow to involvement in both crimes. They will be sentenced in June.
The hearing was told both properties had been deliberately targeted.
In the first, the two girls were in the flat while their father was downstairs in the restaurant where he worked.
One of the children initially heard a loud bang and other noise before being confronted by two men.
They were armed with a spade and ordered the girls into a bedroom.
Prosecutor John Keenan said: "They were told: 'Tell us where the money is'. Both were terrified."
The robbers eventually got their hands on envelopes filled with cash.
After Keenan and Mooney fled, the girls immediately raced to get their father.
On February 18, they were then part of a masked mob who stormed the house in Chryston while a family were inside.
The husband heard his wife screaming before their patio doors were smashed in.
This time the robbers were clutching a pole and baseball bat.
The court heard a member of the family was told by a thug: "Shut up or I will kill you."
One of the occupants managed to dial 999 - he did not speak, but the operator could hear clear sounds of a "disturbance and shouting".
Mr Keenan said the raiders also pushed, punched and kicked the people living there while making demands for £50,000.
They eventually fled with £5,000 in a getaway car, which was later found burnt out a short distance away.
Keenan and Mooney were later traced as being involved in the crimes.
CCTV had helped pin them to the first raid.
Keenan, of Newbridge, Edinburgh, and Mooney, of no fixed abode, pled guilty to charges of assault and robbery.
Lord Arthurson deferred sentencing for reports until June 6 in Edinburgh.
The judge told them: "Standing the gravity of the charges, you will be receiving substantial custodial sentences."
Both were remanded meantime.
