VIDEO footage of an alleged armed robbery which has been known to prosecutors since last November was not passed to the accused's lawyer until minutes before the case called in court.

Christopher Graham — who has been locked up on remand on the matter — may now have to wait up to a further eight weeks before his solicitor can advise him regarding the importance of the CCTV.

Greenock Sheriff Court heard that the Crown — which has been criticised over a failure to deal with the matter 'expeditiously' — knew the film was available on November 2 last year.

Sheriff Andrew McIntyre said: "It [the footage] was available to the Crown in order to bring the allegation and then it is disclosed [to the defence] only minutes before the case is called in court.

"I don't think that any of us would be impressed with that."

Sheriff McIntyre remarked: "It's how this is perceived by people — it doesn't give the impression of things being done expeditiously."

Accused Graham, 37, is charged with holding up the U-Save convenience store on Roxburgh Street at knifepoint and stealing the shop's till.

Prosecutors say he brandished a blade at a staff member whilst making threats of violence towards him during the alleged incident on September 17 last year.

Graham is said to have had his face 'partially concealed' during the alleged robbery.

He was on a bail undertaking to appear at the sheriff court on another matter at the time, according to an indictment that has been served on him.

Defence lawyer Gerry Keenan said: "I've instructed experts before and sanction from the Legal Aid Board would need to be obtained.

"It could take six to eight weeks.

"I don't know at this stage if further enquiries will be required."

The indictment case is due to call in court again today.