Jail for drug addict who stole from vulnerable disabled man

A drug addict who robbed a disabled man in his own home has been jailed for 110 days.

Diane Robertson claimed she was visiting the man but really went to see if there was any money she could steal from the victim, whose disability means he struggles to speak.

At Dunfermline Sheriff Court, Robertson, 37, of Melville Street, Lochgelly, admitted stealing a wallet containing £40 and a bus pass at an address in Dunfermline, on December 13.

Depute fiscal Jade Doig said the accused and her partner had gone to the house at 11pm and the man, whom they had met previously, let them in.

She said: “After about 10 minutes the complainer went to the toilet. When he returned, they said that they had to leave.

“After they left, he noticed a bag was lying open and his wallet was no longer there.

“He contacted his daughter who called the police on his behalf. The complainer is 60, is disabled, struggles with speech and has a carer.”

Robertson later claimed she had been given the money and had not taken his bus pass.

Defence solicitor Ian Beatson admitted his client had “something of a record”.

Sheriff Charles MacNair interrupted, saying: “She has a dreadful record, including lots of thefts.”

Mr Beatson pointed out his client had “numerous ailments” of her own.

“She had a heroin problem and at this time it was no longer controllable,” he went on.

“She had gone there to ask for money but she then took the opportunity to steal it. She very much regrets it.”

Sheriff MacNair told Robertson her behaviour had been “quite outrageous”.