Peebles robber jailed for 'cowardly attack' on pensioner
Last updated 16th Apr 2024
A 58-year-old man who robbed a pensioner in Peebles has today (Tuesday) been jailed for 21 months.
Colin Boyle pounced on the 75-year-old woman near his home in the town's Cuddyside on April 25th, 2022.
Selkirk Sheriff Court heard he seized the strap of her handbag - causing her to fall to the ground - before escaping with the bag and its contents.
Boyle, who entered the dock with his bag packed - previously pled guilty to a charge of assault and robbery, and sentence was deferred for consideration of a Drug Treatment and Testing Order.
His solicitor, Stephanie Clinkscale, said that - together with a home curfew - could help address the root of his offending.
She said Boyle has a "long-standing issue" with drug misuse and is "remorseful for his actions".
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But Sheriff Peter Paterson described the attack as "cowardly" and said he'd be failing in his duty if he didn't jail him.
Passing sentence, he said: "This was a cowardly attack on an elderly lady, caused through drink and drugs." And he added: "There is no alternative to a custodial sentence."
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