Drug addict stole from dying gran

Sheriff calls Fifer’s theft of nearly £4,000 ‘despicable’

A Fife addict who stole thousands of pounds from his dying grandmother has been jailed.

Kris Hunter, a 23-year-old from Kirkcaldy, took his grandparents’ bank cards from their home and used them to siphon nearly £4,000 to pay off drug debts. His grandmother, who was from Blairhall, has since died.

Hunter was told by Sheriff Charles MacNair yesterday: “The offences against your grandmother are despicable. Your grandmother was in hospital, fatally ill, and you stole very significant sums of money from her and your grandfather.”

Hunter was jailed for eight months after admitting the thefts.

A drug addict who stole almost £4,000 from his dying grandmother when she was in hospital has been jailed.

Kris Hunter took his gran’s cash cards and spent a month withdrawing money from post offices and ATMs.

His 82-year-old grandfather also had cash stolen from the couple’s joint account.

The stealing spree only came to light after his gran’s death when the suspicious withdrawals were discovered and CCTV video identified Hunter as the thief.

The 23-year-old, formerly of Houldsworth Street, Blairhall, and recently living at Lismore Avenue, Kirkcaldy, appeared at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

He admitted stealing a wallet on September 5 from an address in Rintoul Avenue, Blairhall. It contained Post Office bank cards belonging to Jane Beattie, now deceased, and his grandfather, Thomas Beattie, aged 82.

Between September 5 and October 7 at post offices in Dunfermline, Methil and Inverkeithing, he used his grandmother’s stolen bank card to steal £2,070 from ATMs.

He stole £1,816.88 from the post office account belonging to his grandparents at post offices and shops in Dunfermline, Methil and Kirkcaldy between September 5 and October 7.

Hunter further admitted possessing cannabis at Houldsworth Street, Blairhall, on March 5.

Depute fiscal Dev Kapadia, said: “The accused went to his grandmother’s when she was in hospital and took a wallet containing bank cards belonging to her and also for a joint account for his gran and grandfather.”

The depute went on, “His grandmother was in hospital and these matters came to light after her death when transactions were seen which appeared to be suspicious.

“CCTV footage from the ATMs was examined and the accused identified.”

Defence solicitor Lynsay Magro said: “In Mr Hunter’s own words the offences are ‘disgusting’. His grandmother had been a positive influence in his life. He feels disgusted with himself and he’s ashamed.

“He has had an addiction to cannabis. He owed dealers money and he had no way to repay them. He took the decision to breach the trust and as a result has lost the support of his family.”

Sheriff Charles MacNair told Hunter: “The offences against your grandmother are despicable. Your grandmother was in hospital, fatally ill, and you stole very significant sums of money from her and your grandfather.

“It’s hard to see a worse offence for you to commit.”

He jailed Hunter for eight months.

Kris Hunter was jailed for stealing the cash when his gran was fatally ill.