Heartless thief who stole handbag from pensioner, 84, told police: 'Not guilty!'
Last updated 9th Oct 2023
An 84-year-old woman popped off the bus in Jedburgh for a brief moment to deliver a birthday present to a friend.
But when she returned to her seat to complete the journey, between Hawick and Kelso, her bag containing a purse, bank cards, and £240 in cash was missing.
Toni Storey was spotted leaving the vehicle at the bus station with the items but, when cautioned and charged by police in relation to the incident on April 6th this year, she replied: "Not guilty!"
The 41-year-old, who lives in Blair Avenue, Jedburgh, changed her plea to guilty when she appeared at the town's Sheriff Court this afternoon (Monday).
She also admitted assaulting a female police officer called to a disturbance in the Bongate on September the 5th this year, by repeatedly kicking the cell door of a police vehicle, crushing the Constable's hand - causing bruising to her hand and wrist.
In addition, Storey pled guilty to behaving in an aggressive manner and making offensive remarks at The Spar in Lothian Road, Jedburgh, on November 21st last year.
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Her solicitor, Mat Patrick, said his client had a drug problem but told him she is now clean.
Sheriff Peter Paterson made Storey the subject of an 18-month Community Payback Order with supervision requirements in relation to the charges of assault and behaving in a threatening or abusive manner.
And he deferred sentence on the theft until December the 5th, when he will review her progress.
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