A serial thief stole £800 from a kindly Aberdeen pensioner who agreed to give her a lift to the chemist.
Julie Hayworth used the opportunity to swipe the 79-year-old’s handbag from the front seat before running off with it.
The 30-year-old, a prolific offender who has previously targeted the elderly and vulnerable, was later seen tossing the handbag into a field.
Fiscal depute Jennifer Pritchard told Aberdeen Sheriff Court: “The complainer knows the accused as the accused has previously asked to borrow money from her.
“Around 9am on August 10 2021, the complainer was standing by her vehicle when the accused approached her and asked for money.
‘Your record is linked to your history of drug misuse’
“The complainer declined, but shortly thereafter she requested a lift to the chemist which the complainer agreed to.”
Hayworth was then seen removing the woman’s shopping bag from the front passenger seat and placing it in the rear seat.
Ms Pritchard said: “The accused stated she no longer required a lift to the chemist and ran off in the direction of Aulton Court.”
The pensioner then went to retrieve her shopping bag and noticed her handbag, which had been inside it, was missing.
Suspecting Hayworth had taken it, she drove to her address to look for her and spoke to a man who said he’d seen a female throwing a handbag into a grassy area nearby.
The male retrieved the bag for the pensioner who looked inside and discovered £800 in cash gone.
She contacted the police.
Hayworth, of Moir Drive, Aberdeen, pled guilty to theft.
The incident happened at Seaview House, School Road in Aberdeen.
Defence agent Chris Maitland said: “There’s little I can add to what’s said in the social work report.”
‘Extremely significant and distressing matter’
Sheriff Andrew Miller told Hayworth: “You have a concerning record for crimes of dishonesty, although it’s clear from everything that’s been said this morning about your personal circumstances and this particular case, that your record is linked to your history of drug misuse.
“That clearly lies at the root of your offending.”
Sheriff Miller said he noted recent changes and improvements Hayworth had made in her life.
He went on: “You stole £800 from a woman who had shown you kindness in the past by lending you money and helping you in relation to things such as transport to the chemist.
“This lady was apparently aged 79 at the time. I’m sure the loss of £800 was an extremely significant and distressing matter for her.”
The sheriff said he felt it was “better all round” for Hayworth to be able to continue getting support in the community to avoid further offending.
He imposed a six-month curfew order.
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