Homeless man jailed after robbing pensioner in her own home
Christopher McCormick threatened the 70-year-old and stole from her after being invited into her house for a hot drink
Last updated 1st Sep 2020
A homeless man who robbed a pensioner in her Ibrox home after she offered him help has been locked up for six years.
Christopher McCormick turned on Jennifer Topham after he turned up at her door in on January 19 this year.
The 70 year-old was alone at the time while her husband was in hospital.
McCormick ransacked the house with his loot including sentimental jewellery, cash inside birthday cards and a mobile phone.
The 36-year-old was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow on Tuesday.
He had earlier pleaded guilty to the assault and robbery.
Lord Mulholland told him: "She offered you warmth and even made you a cup of coffee.
"Notwithstanding her kindness, you subjected her to a cowardly ordeal.
"She has been mentally affected. You should be thoroughly ashamed."
The victim answered the door on the morning of the attack believing it may be a carer.
McCormick - who had been staying in a homeless hostel nearby - instead was there claiming he was cold.
Generous Mrs Topham gave him a hot drink - but McCormick soon brandished a blade and started rummaging through drawers.
Prosecutor Eric Robertson said: “He put on gloves and took three birthdays card each with a £20 note inside as well as £20 from a table.
“He then took another knife from the kitchen and told her to go upstairs with him.
"He searched through a jewellery box removed items including two pearl necklaces belonging to her mother.”
McCormick's haul further included bank cards, an electronic tablet device and a box of cigars.
He also threatened to tie up the frightened OAP, tried to get her to write a cheque for £500 as well as damaging a photo of a relative.
McCormick eventually fled before the upset victim was discovered still in her nightdress.
The thug was later snared due to his DNA left at the scene.
Euan Dow, defending, said McCormick had received a "significant" compensation payout after being attacked himself in 2004, which "lead in part" to him developing a drug habit.
He then ended up homeless following the death of his mother in 2011.
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