A woman who stole money from a blind man at a cash machine has been handed a two-month curfew.
Vicki O’Neil jumped in and grabbed the £50 as it was ejected from the ATM at an Aberdeen Spar convenience store, the city’s sheriff court was told.
Her victim, who is registered blind, was withdrawing the cash to use in the Rosemount Viaduct store when O’Neil, 39, pounced.
Fiscal depute Andrew McMann said the man was being aided by another person to withdraw the money from his bank account.
“Whilst in the midst of withdrawing the money, the accused put her hand over the slot and took the money before walking away,” he added.
Said it was well-intentioned
O’Neil admitted a charge of theft, which took place at around 2.45pm on August 31 2020, but her defence agent said she had actually visited the shop with the victim, who was known to her, and had taken the money from him with good intentions.
Her solicitor John Hardy said O’Neil was concerned the blind man was withdrawing his now-deceased housemate’s money in order to buy alcohol.
“What she was doing was taking the money which she intended to use for the benefit of that man (the housemate),” he said.
“Alcohol was going to be purchased and though that was what he wanted, it wouldn’t have been of benefit to him.
Was using drink and drugs
“She didn’t intend to keep the property of another – she viewed the money as that of the other man’s, not the complainer. But while it was in his hands it was his property.
“The three of them were all using drugs and drinking at the time.”
He said the man whom O’Neil claimed the cash was for was in a “very bad way” at home and since died in October 2020.
Mr Hardy admitted it was an “unusual background” but claimed O’Neil was now in a more “stable situation” having addressed her substance misuse to a “great extent”.
Sheriff Lesley Johnston handed O’Neil, of Balmoral Court, Aberdeen, a 60-day curfew which means she must wear a tag and remain at home between 7pm and 7am daily
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