Initiative praised by police

POLICE i n Perth and Kinross have heaped praise on a new initiative to help them spend more time on the beat.

Officers across Tayside have been i ssued with handheld devices allowing them to access emails and share information on the move.

Tayside was the first division i n Scotland to have the devices issued to officers, and police representatives at a meeting of Perth and Kinross Council housing and communities committee said the roll-out has been a success.

A spokesman said: “The devices have been universally accepted and are working i ncredibly well.

“The entirety of Tayside Division now have devices and are trained up.

“The device is still in development and new features are still being added.”

PERTH’S St Andrew’s Day Festival will take place on December 1 from noon-5pm throughout the city centre.

A COUPLE who assaulted and robbed a pensioner who gave them a lift have been jailed.

Richard Gibson and Louise Robb targeted Robert Hansen after he asked the pair to get out of his car on Dundonald Street on May 26.

Dundee Sheriff Court heard Gibson thumped the 72-year-old before Robb stole his phone, keys and wallet.

Gibson, 34, also racially abused a nurse in the custody suite at police headquarters.

The day before the incident, Robb, 38, snatched 66-year-old William Smith’s £3,000 necklace from his home on Woodlands Terrace.

Sheriff Alastair Carmichael said: “As part of my sentencing I have to reflect society’s disapproval of violence towards the elderly or older people in the community.

“As a result of that, there is no alternative for both of you but a custodial sentence.”

During the first incident, Robb was caught after arousing the suspicion of staff at Ramsdens, Crichton Street, after she tried to sell Mr Smith’s necklace.