A drug addict has been jailed after forcing his way into his grandmother’s home and robbing her of cash.
Christopher Roberts claimed he needed money to pay “unsavoury characters” he’d borrowed from.
The tale unfolded at Hamilton Sheriff Court this week as Roberts, 33, admitted robbing his gran in Hozier Crescent, Tannochside, on November 2 last year.
Lewis Devoy, prosecuting, said the woman, aged 76, and the accused’s grandfather, who is 79, were at home when Roberts turned up about 9pm.
He told the court: “There was an arrangement whereby the accused’s benefits were paid into his grandmother’s bank account.
“The latest payment wasn’t due for two weeks but Roberts chapped on the living room window, asking for money.
“His gran opened the front door but blocked it with her zimmer frame. She told Roberts to leave as he was not welcome.
“He then pushed his way into the property, went into the living room and grabbed her bag.
“His gran tried to take it back but he took out her purse and removed £30 and a bank card.
“The woman shouted to her husband, who was upstairs, to phone the police. Roberts left the house via the back door.”
Defence lawyer Scott Jones told the court his client wished to express his “sincere apologies” for his actions.
Mr Jones stated: “His gran maintains good relations with him despite what is clearly a horrible offence.
“He started taking drugs at the age of 15 and has been a regular offender.
“At this time he was homeless and owned money to unsavoury characters who had assaulted him. He has ongoing mental health problems.”
Sheriff Mungo Bovey told Roberts: “It’s a measure of how low you had sunk at that stage in your life.”
The sheriff read a three-page letter from Roberts, who has been in custody since his arrest in November.
He added: “I’m persuaded that you are now in a better place and take account of your immediate admission of guilty and that your grandmother was not injured and retains contact with you. Nonetheless, this calls for a custodial sentence, particularly in light of your record.”
Roberts was jailed for eight months, backdated to November 3.
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