An Inverness purse thief who was caught red-handed by city centre security staff and a group of soldiers was jailed for five months yesterday.
Andrew Ryan, c/o 29 Kessock Avenue, appeared from custody at Inverness Sheriff Court and admitted the theft which was committed at lunchtime on Tuesday. He was still on a bail order, granted at the same court on May 6, the court heard.
But Sheriff John Rafferty was told that Ryan, 32, was apprehended within five minutes after a short chase, which involved his unnamed 50-year-old victim, reinforced by the squaddies and security men.
Fiscal depute Karen Smith said that the woman had gone to the Royal Bank of Scotland ATM on Inverness’s High Street to bank some money.
“A 27 year old member of staff went out to help her and as they finished, Ryan took the open purse from her hand and ran off.
“The lady shouted: ‘He’s stolen my purse, Stop him’ and she began to chase him down the street. The security staff also gave chase and got a hold of him and took him back to the bank where he was arrested.
“It was all done within five minutes.”
Defence lawyer Duncan Henderson said: “This was an opportunist theft and there was full recovery.”
Jailing him, Sheriff Rafferty told Ryan, who admitted a long list of previous convictions, “A 50-year-old lady was going about her lawful business in the middle of the day in a city centre and you stole her purse.
“With your record and the fact you were on bail, only a custodial sentence is appropriate.”