The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Former sniper bound and gagged pensioner in robbery at her home
An ex-army sniper robbed a terrified pensioner in her home while on the run from prison. Garry Roughley, 39, pounced on Helen Ritchie after lying in wait outside her house in Dunfermline, on May 4 2018.
He bound and gagged the 76-year-old widow, stole jewellery and bank cards and cut phone lines before fleeing the scene.
Ms Ritchie was only rescued when a concerned neighbour found her.
Roughley remained at large for more than two years, despite a large-scale police probe and Crimewatch TV appeal.
Detectives got a tip-off that he was in Glasgow last July before he was caught in Newcastle.
Serial criminal Roughley could now face a life sentence after he pled guilty yesterday to six charges including the assault and robbery.
The High Court in Glasgow heard how Ms Ritchie had returned from dinner with friends when Roughley struck.
He had recently absconded from HMP Thorn Cross in Cheshire, where he had been serving a a sentence for burglary. The court was told how the victim was grabbed while outside the house and ordered to her knees.
The attacker – armed with a knife – yelled: “Woman... shut up and you will not get hurt.”
The pensioner was forced inside, blindfolded and had her hands bound with cable ties.
Prosecutor Eric Robertson told the court: “He asked was there a man in the house, but she told him her husband had died.
“He then said: ‘There was someone here last night’.”
He demanded the PINS for her bank cards. Roughley went on to slap tape and cloth over Ms Ritchie’s mouth, also tying her legs to a chair.
He then made off with loot from the house.
The victim’s neighbour was suspicious when he noticed a light on in her home late at night.
The jewellery stolen included rings, a brooch, a pearl necklace and a watch.
The robber was linked to a stolen Vauxhall Mokka and £200 being withdrawn using a stolen bank card at a local ATM.
The robbery went on to feature on BBC’S
Crimewatch in 2019 and there was a further media appeal last year.
Roughley emerged as a suspect and he was seen in Glasgow in July 2020.
He was eventually held for the robbery in October last year after being arrested in Newcastle.
Prosecutors have moved for a full risk assessment to be carried out on Roughley, which could lead to an order for lifelong restriction being imposed.
His convictions included kidnapping, burglary and theft. Lady Scott adjourned the case until May 18 in Edinburgh.