Thief told robbery victim she had HIV

ATHIEF who claimed to have HIV and brandished a needle at a victim before robbing her was jailed for 16 months. Sarah Latimer, 37, pounced on Ka Leung, 22, on Byres Road in April. She also robbed Hatice Temel, 28, nearby earlier that day making off with a set of headphones.

Latimer pleaded guilty yesterday at Glasgow Sheriff Court to two assault and robbery charges.

The court heard Latimer approached Miss Leung at 11pm.

Prosecutor Mark Allan said: “She stated she was HIV positive and brandished a hypoallergenic needle with a red substance inside towards her.”

Miss Leung shouted on the police as Latimer grabbed her shoulder and jacket before wriggling free.

Latimer fled the scene with bank cards and personal papers as Miss Leung dialled 999.

The hearing was told Latimer had also robbed Miss Temel at 1.30pm while she was on FaceTime to her mother.

Latimer demanded her phone which was refused.

She grabbed the victim on the arm and her Beats headphones fell to the ground which Latimer swiped before making off.

Latimer, who has previous convictions for assault and robbery, was later snared by police and found with the stolen items.

James Mulgrew, defending, told the court that she has no recollection of the incidents due to taking Valium tablets.

Sheriff Lindsay Wood said: “There is going to be a custodial sentence here as it’s fully merited.

“This would have been a frightening experience for those two young women.

“This was down to self-imposed consumptions of Valium which does you no favours.” mobile

This would have been a frightening experience