Renfrew man jailed for pensioner bag snatch

A serial robber who snatched a pensioner's handbag just four months after being released early from prison on licence is being jailed for five years and four months.

55 year-old John Taylor from Renfrew, attacked 76-year-old Margaret Brown as she walked along Sandy Road, Renfrew, at lunchtime on March 17.

He grabbed her by the arm, pulled her to the ground and robbed her of her handbag and its contents.

The High Court in Glasgow heard that Taylor had been released from a seven and a half year sentence for robbing a 69-year-old woman in November 2018 after serving five years.

Judge Lord Burns ordered Taylor to be monitored in the community for five years after his release to protect the public.

He told Taylor: “You say you don't know why you committed this offence. The court has no option, but to take a serious view of this. It is necessary to protect the public from you.

“You pled guilty to the assault and robbery of a 76-year-old woman while she was walking in the street in broad daylight after a shopping expedition.”

Defence counsel Louise Arrol said: “He has demonstrated remorse by pleading guilty at an early opportunity. He struggles when not in custody because he has spent such a long time in prison.”

Prosecutor Michael Meehan said: “Mrs Brown had been shopping at Braehead and around 12.30pm she returned to Renfrew town centre by bus.

“As she was walking along Sandy Road she heard a man voice behind her say: “Hold on a minute.'

“The accused then grabbed her from behind by taking hold of her right arm and pulled her to the ground.”

Taylor grabbed her bag and ran off in the direction of Queen Street.

Two passers-by came to the aid of Mrs Brown. One comforted her and the other, who was in a car, gave chase.

Derek McIntyre followed Taylor to the grounds of Trinity High School and got out his car and confronted him saying: “That's not your bag.”

Taylor dropped the bag and ran off. Mr McIntyre returned the bag to Mrs Brown. Nothing appeared to have been taken.

At 1.17pm Taylor phoned Police Scotland and told the operator “I just want to report I tried to steal a woman's bag.”

He said he did not have a weapon and did not know what made him do it.

Mrs Brown suffered a bump to her left elbow, which was grazed, but did not require any medical or hospital treatment.

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