Woman, 93, left terrified after intruder ordeal

Elderly lady shocked to find ‘smartly dressed’ thief in her Perth home. The man remains at large after fleeing the property empty-handed

A terrified 93-year-old screamed when she came face-to-face with an intruder at her home in Perth.

The “smartly dressed” young man climbed into the pensioner’s home through an open window but fled when he saw the lady was still awake.

The woman was left badly shaken, but unhurt, investigators said.

The break-in happened at around 1am on Thursday.

Police Scotland believe the intruder ran off along Tweedmuir Road.

A major investigation is now under way and officers have appealed for any witnesses to get in touch.

Local councillor Michael Jamieson said: “This is an absolutely appalling crime. It’s bad enough for this sort of thing to happen to anyone, but for it to happen to a woman in her nineties is particularly disgraceful.

“I have every confidence that the police will be doing all in their power to bring this intruder to justice.”

A force spokesman has urged anyone with information to come forward.

He said: “A 93-year-old lady disturbed a man in her house, who appeared to have gained entry through a rear window.

“On realising she was awake, he ran off out of her house and close, and fortunately did not take anything.”

He said she was left “pretty shaken up”.

It is thought the man was scared off when the pensioner screamed.

The intruder is described as white and in his early twenties. He is about 5ft 9in, slim with dark hair.

He was said to be “smartly dressed” in dark clothing.

The incident has sent shockwaves through the close-knit community.

Father-of-two Thomas Saddler said: “It’s absolutely despicable. The elderly should feel safe in their own homes, they shouldn’t have to come face-to-face with strangers in the middle of the night.”

He said: “It has been very hot at nights these last few weeks and we’ve had to keep our windows open. But we’ll have second thoughts about that now.”

Another local said: “This would have been absolutely terrifying for her. I’m not sure how you really get over something like that.”

Anyone with information about the break-in is urged to call Police Scotland’s Tayside division on 101 or freephone Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111.