Drug addict robbed OAP in Larkhall
A drug addict has been jailed for 14 months after robbing a 76-year-old man in Larkhall.
Richard Hamilton crept up behind the pensioner and snatched a mobile phone from his pocket.
Hamilton, 33, is embarrassed by his behaviour, Hamilton Sheriff Court heard on Friday.
He admitted robbing the OAP in a lane near Victoria Street on February 9.
Allegations that he pinned him against a wall and punched him were dropped.
The court heard serial offender Hamilton was the subject of eight different bail orders at the time.
Neil Thomson, prosecuting, said the victim had been shopping and was making his way home around 9.30am when Hamilton pounced.
Mr Thomson explained:“the phone was in his hand inside his jacket pocket.
“The accused snatched it from his grasp and ran off.
“The pensioner was left shaken but uninjured.
“Police identified Hamilton from CCTV and his DNA was found on the victim’s jacket pocket.”
Defence agent Diarmid Bruce said Hamilton was under the influence of heroin at the time and had“no clear recollection”of the robbery.
He pointed out that his client had stayed clear of trouble for many years until a succession of shoplifting cases last year which“tells its own story”.
Mr Bruce explained:“he had personal difficulties and started using heroin again.
“At the time of this incident he was homeless.
“The victim was walking ahead of him and my client wasn’t aware of his age at that time.
“It’s unsavoury and he’s embarrassed he behaved in this way, but it’s not typical of him.”
Sheriff Douglas Brown told Hamilton:“this is a serious matter because of the age of the complainer and that has to be reflected in the disposal.
“The appropriate sentence is 18 months, but that will be reduced to 14 months because of your guilty plea.”
The sentence was backdated to February 18 as Hamilton has been in custody since then.