Bag-snatch thug gets three years

A THIEF who knocked a 67-year-old woman to the ground and stole her handbag in Dundee city centre in a bid to feed his drug habit has been jailed for more than three years.

Andrew Cussick, 38, had already tried to steal cash from a “shaken” woman just two days earlier on Lochee High Street.

But she managed to fend off the brute after he tried to grab her money from an ATM.

Cussick, who has multiple previous convictions, was jailed after admitting last year’s attacks.

Dundee Sheriff Court heard that the 67-year-old woman, who used a walking stick, had withdrawn £200 from the cash machine at the Meadowside TSB branch before being targeted by Cussick.

Fiscal depute Michael Robertson said: “She headed towards the opticians on Reform Street for an appointment.

“She was aware of someone behind her. She did not turn around.

“She was nudged on the body, which caused her to fall to the ground on the right-hand side of her body. “A male, now known to be the accused, forcibly pulled her bag from her and ran off.”

Eyewitnesses chased Cussick, who fled down Bank Street.

In the earlier attack, another woman became aware of Cussick lingering behind her and fumbling with bank cards at around 7.45am at an ATM.

The court was told Cussick was speaking to her but the victim did not understand what he was saying.

Mr Robertson added: “She waited to see if the accused would move on. However, he did not and she began to use the ATM.

“She was aware the accused was close to her.

“She tried to take her money and the accused tried to grab the money from her. There was a struggle with the accused trying to grab the money before giving up and running off.

“She was left shaken and contacted the police.”

Both incidents were captured by CCTV cameras.

Cussick, a prisoner of HMP Perth, pled guilty to the assault on April 30 2023 in Lochee.

The serial offender also admitted assault and robbery on May 2 2023 on Reform Street.

Solicitor Jim Caird, representing Cussick, told Sheriff George Way: “He is extremely ashamed of his behaviour. He knows the court really has no option but to impose a custodial sentence and he feels he deserves that.

“He was under the influence of drugs at the time.

“He is thinking of what everyone would think of him and also what his family would think.

“He has clearly been in the depths of despair about the level of shame he has for this.”

Cussick was sentenced to a total of three years and two months in prison.

Andrew Cussick.