OAP robbed and locked in house

A partially-sighted pensioner was robbed and locked in her home by a womanwhoregardedher as an aunt.

The 82-year-old victim described her ordeal as “one of the worst things that’s happened in my life”.

Stacey Astrauskas, 36, of Springhill Road, Shotts, was jailed for 15 months after appearing at Hamilton Sheriff Court.

She admitted assaulting androbbingtheOAPata house in McGregor Street, Wishaw, on April 17 last year.

Astrauskas, who claimed to be“wiped out” by drugs at the time, made off with £100 and a key.

Jennifer McCabe, prosecuting, said the pensioner heard knocking on her front door and a windowataround

9.30pm.

She explained:“She asked who was there, but therewasnoanswerand she opened the door. She saw a figure in dark clothing with hood up and face covered. A struggle ensued and the elderly woman fell. She was draggedtoherbedroom and thrown on to the bed.

“The intruder shouted ‘I’m in a bad place and needmoney’’.Thewoman recognised the voice.

“She screamed, hoping neighbours would hear her and Astrauskas placed herhandoverhermouth to keep her quiet.

“Thewomanpulled down the covering from her face and she recognised the accused whograbbedherhandbag and took £100 from it.

“Thewomansaidshe would call the police and Astrauskas pulled her phone out of the socket.

“The accused then bit the cable in an attempt to make the phone unusable, shouting‘You better not or we’ll see what I’ll do’.

“Astrauskas then left, locking the door behind her and taking the key.”

Neighbours went to the house after hearing noises and the victim managed to call a friend.

When police arrived she was“upset and tearful”.

MsMcCabeadded:“The woman was at first reluctant to give an account of what had happenedasshewas fearful the accused would return and there would be repercussions.

“She stated this was one of the worst things that hadhappenedinher lifetime and she did not feel safe in her home.”

Astrauskas’s DNA was found on the victim’s dressinggownandphone cable.The victim lived in the same street as the accused’smumand she had known her for years.

Astrauskas told police: “She was like an auntie to me, a nice old woman.”

She claimed she had gonetoborrowmoney and denied robbery, but admitted she’d taken methadone and street Valium beforehand.

She added:“That wiped me out and I can’t remember anything.The woman wouldn’t lie. She must be telling the truth. I’m so, so, so sorry.”

Defence agent Ian Scott said Astrauskas had accepted“full responsibility”.

Sheriff Andrew McIntyre said she had put a “vulnerable”woman through a“very unpleasant”experience and:“It would be quite wrong not to mark this with a prison sentence.”