Petrol station armed robbery accused set for trial as he remains behind bars
A man accused of robbing two petrol stations just a mile apart on the one day has been fully committed for trial.
Sam Ballantyne has made his second court appearance in connection with incidents in Ardrossan and Saltcoats last month.
The 34-year-old, of Saltcoats, was first remanded in custody following a hearing at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court last month.
We can now reveal that he has made his second appearance in connection with the case, appearing in court again a week later.
He again made no plea to the two charges he faces - assault to injury and robbery, and assault and robbery.
He was fully committed for trial during the hearing, which again took place in private, and was again remanded in custody.
No future court dates have been set, but he is expected to go on trial over the claims at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court at some point next year.
Ballantyne's first hearing took place on Thursday, September 17, 2026, and the case against him was continued for prosecutors to investigate further.
He was arrested during a police probe which was launched following incidents at two different incidents in two separate seaside towns.
Just before 2pm on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, the Esso garage in Glasgow Street, Ardrossan, was targeted.
The second incident took place on the same day, just after 4pm, at the BP garage in the neighbouring town of Saltcoats.
Police Scotland initially said that the incidents were not being treated as linked, but that both incidents were being investigated.
But Ballantyne was held in police custody before appearing in court after being arrested during the investigation.
Both garages were locked down after the incidents, with police standing guard outside both premises.
A police van and an officer wearing a hi-vis uniform were stationed outside the Esso in Ardrossan, with the forecourt blocked off by traffic cones.
At least nine officers in uniform and five police vehicles were seen at the BP in Saltcoats just after the incident.
It also looked like CID officers, wearing plain clothes, were in the forecourt, which was also blocked off by traffic cones.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "A 34-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with robberies in Ardrossan and Saltcoats on Tuesday, 15 September, 2026.
"Around 1.50pm we received a report of a robbery at a filling station on Glasgow Street in Ardrossan and around 4.05pm a report was received of a robbery at a filling station on High Road in Saltcoats."
Comments