A BARRHEAD man who is accused of robbing a bookmakers was unable to appear in court due to serious health issues.

Dylan Henderson, 22, is alleged to have robbed the Betfred shop in East Crawford Street, Greenock, with his face masked on August 14, 2019.

Prosecutors claim that he assaulted a member of staff by brandishing an unknown item at him before jumping over a counter and demanding cash.

It is alleged that Henderson took "a quantity of monies."

However, he was absent when the first calling of the indictment case was held at Greenock Sheriff Court.

Defence lawyer Michael McKeown told the court that Henderson's heart only functions at 23 per cent of its capacity and he requires transplant surgery.

He also said his client recently suffered a stroke.

The case is due to call again in April.