Thug targeting elderly women to rob is jailed

Man pounced on vulnerable women in various parts of Glasgow last year

ATHUG who robbed a vulnerable 89-year-old woman at her doorstep has been jailed for two years.

Abel Ghebrehiwret, 24, pounced on Mary Taylor at her flat in Glasgow’s Cessnock on October 13, 2020.

The brute pulled her handbag which included £70 in cash and ran off.

Ghebrehiwret also robbed 66-year-old Jeanette Robinson of her handbag two days later.

Ghebrehiwret pleaded guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to three robberies and an assault with intent to rob.

The court heard Miss Taylor returned to her flat after being at a hospital appointment.

She noticed Ghebrehiwret, who was wearing all black clothing and had his hood up.

Prosecutor Amy Hunter said: “She approached her front door to unlock it and she felt a tug at her bag.

“She realised her bag was missing and the man responsible for stealing it, as there was no one else in the close.

“Her bag contained £70 in her purse and a variety of bank cards.”

Miss Taylor’s son later discovered the bag close to the scene but £50 was missing from it.

The hearing was told Ghebrehiwret approached Miss Robinson two days later in the city’s Kinning Park.

Miss Hunter said: “She was carrying her handbag on her shoulder and felt her right arm and strap being pulled from behind.

“She was pulled to the ground by force and then faced the opposite direction.

“She felt an impact on the left side of her face by the accused who made a punching motion.”

Ghebrehiwret then took the bag and ran in the direction of STV’s studios.

A further two days later Ghebrehiwret was spotted struggling with an unknown woman in the city’s Garscube Road.

The thief grabbed the woman’s handbag which caused her to fall and he dragged her along the ground.

Ghebrehiwret ran off empty handed after a cyclist chased him for a short distance.

Ghebrehiwret also stole Margaret McGurk’s handbag which contained £500 in cash.

The 59-year-old victim was approached from behind in the city’s Mosspark and her handbag was taken from her grip.

Miss McGurk fell on the roadway and was visibly upset after being helped to her feet by members of the public.

The bag was later found, but all the contents were stolen.

Sheriff Andrew Cubie said: “This was a despicable course of conduct.”

She was pulled to the ground by force