Thief stole cigarettes from OAP

A THIEF who stole 400 cigarettes from a pensioner in a Dundee sheltered housing complex has been spared a prison sentence after making efforts to transform her life.

Dawn Barclay, 39, targeted the woman – now 79 – at an address on Kinghorne Road, Dundee.

The city’s sheriff court heard how the vulnerable victim had suffered mobility issues due to suffering a stroke previously.

Barclay, who has previously served time in jail, had knocked on the woman’s door at around 10.40am on August 2 2022, asking to use the toilet.

The door was opened slightly by the woman and Barclay made her way into the living room.

The brave victim tried to pull Barclay’s hood back but the intruder did not say anything and simply picked up a handbag from a coffee table and walked out.

The bag contained 400 cigarettes. Police were called and Barclay was found walking down a street in Dundee with a man who had 400 cigarettes matching the brand described.

He told officers Barclay had sold him the cigarettes for £40.

Barclay, of Denfield Avenue in Cardenden, previously pled guilty at Dundee Sheriff Court to robbing the elderly woman and sentencing had been deferred for background reports to be prepared.

Solicitor David Duncan said his client accepted she was at risk of being sent to prison but had taken significant steps to change her ways.

As an alternative to custody, Barclay, who has not offended since the incident, was ordered to perform 210 hours of unpaid work and placed on supervision for 18 months.

She was also made subject to a restriction of liberty order keeping her indoors between 7pm and 7am for six months.

Sheriff Carmichael told her: “It’s a chance for you to keep on turning things around so don’t blow it.”

ALTERNATIVE: Dawn Barclay was given 210 hours of unpaid work.