A callous thief who preyed on a trio of pensioners and stole their jewellery has been spared a jail sentence.
One of William Williamson’s victims was aged 93 when he targeted her at her Moray home.
The 57-year-old, pictured, had denied stealing from the women – but was found guilty after a trial.
His solicitor told Elgin Sheriff Court yesterday that Williamson was involved in a family metal business and had been trading door-to-door for about 40 years.
The court heard that on March 23, 2013, Wilson stole jewellery from an 81-year-old woman at her home in Keith.
She told police he arrived at her door asking if she had any goods to sell, then entered the house in a forceful manner and searched it without her permission.
Williamson was also convicted of stealing a watch from a 93-year-old woman’s house in Lhanbryde, on March 25, 2013.
The victim said that after knocking on her door, Williamson repeatedly asked whether she had goods to sell, before barging his way into the property.
A third incident was reported by a 78-year-old woman in Huntly, who said Williamson removed jewellery from her home in the same forceful manner.
Sheriff Susan Raeburn said she acknowledged the seriousness of the offences, but as it was Williamson’s first conviction she was willing to deal with the matter with a non-custodial sentence.
She instead ordered him to carry out 240 hours of unpaid work.
Williamson’s agent, solicitor Ian Warburton, said metal trading was a family business and his client had been trading door-to-door for the past four decades.
He added: “Following this matter, though, he has stopped and has no plans to resume that type of work.
“That my client is a first offender does not preclude him from a custodial sentence, and he knows this is realistic in terms of what to expect.”
Sheriff Raeburn said: “I would be fully justified in imposing a sentence of imprisonment.
“The accused preyed upon elderly and vulnerable individuals.”
Williamson, of Bridge Street, Elgin, was warned that any breach of his supervised community service order could lead to him being jailed.
Last night, secretary of the Grampian Senior Citizens Forum, George Thomson, said: “I would imagine that the sheriff had some discretion but if she was convinced Mr Williamson has been doing this persistently, then he shouldn’t have been treated lightly.
“It’s a very traumatic experience for an old person. If a stranger enters your house and does something wrong then the next time there is a knock on the door they will be scared.
“People have to remember that, and I think that should be taken into account when people are being judged in court.
“We’ve always advised people that if someone comes to your door make sure they have the correct identification before you let them in. It’s absolutely despicable for someone to get into an old person’s house like that – many of whom are very vulnerable and can be taken advantage of.”