Thief who targeted pensioners jailed
A vile thief who stole an 86-year-old widow's purse containing a picture of her late husband during a one-woman crimewave has been jailed for four-and-a-half years.
A vile thief who stole an 86-year-old widow's purse containing a picture of her late husband during a one-woman crimewave has been jailed for four-and-a-half years.
Kelly Whyte targeted a string of pensioners earlier this year - both people she knew and elderly strangers.
During one theft, an 86-year-old woman was robbed of her purse which included, among other things, a picture of her late husband.
Fiscal depute Susan Ruta told Dundee Sheriff Court that to date the picture has not been located.
Another 79-year-old man had £87 and a packet of cigarettes stolen from him after offering Whyte a cup of tea.
Whyte, 36, a prisoner at HMP Cornton Vale, pleaded guilty on indictment to five charges of theft.
Solicitor advocate Kris Gilmartin, defending, said Whyte has a long-standing problem with drug addiction.
He said Whyte has been suffering from "guilt and remorse" and claimed that she "does not recognise the person who carried out the offences".
Mr Gilmartin added: "She is someone who has been blighted by drug addiction for a number of years.
"She is appalled at the charges against her.
"The outlook for Ms White is relatively positive, but what she is left with is guilt and remorse.
"It is a punishment in itself to hear these statements.
"She knows that she is going to prison."
Sheriff Alastair Brown jailed Whyte for four-and-a-half years.
He said: "In some cases you went into their homes.
"All you were interested in doing was stealing whatever you could, however you could."