Woman's concern that her blind brother is serial theft victim
A 68-year-old blind man in Dundee has had what is suspected to have been hundreds of pounds stolen from him after collecting his pension from the post office.
- By Lisa Trainer
- Published in the Courier : 07.05.10
- Published online : 07.05.10 @ 12.37pm
His sister said she had been told that the suspect was a blonde woman who was a heroin addict, and she expressed her concerns over such people preying on vulnerable members of society.
Wishing to remain anonymous, the blind man's sister spoke of a series of worrying incidents this week involving her brother, who lives in supported accommodation off Blackness Road.
Her concerns were raised when she received a phone call on Monday night from the concierge at her brother's flat to say a blonde woman had been seen entering her brother's home.
It appears the woman asked to use the man's toilet, and he allowed her to enter the property.
The sister visited the next morning and learned that the unwelcome visitor had taken some money her brother had withdrawn from the Blackness Road Post Office.
The sister visited the post office, to be told that her brother and the blonde woman had already been there that morning and had withdrawn more money from her brother's account.
She asked her brother if he still had the money, but he did not. She then searched his flat but there was no sign of the cash.
The sister urgently arranged to cancel her brother's bank card to prevent further withdrawals.
She is waiting for records of all deductions from her brother's account to work out how much money had taken, but fears it may be as much as £400.
The sister said, "The blonde woman was a heroin addict.
'Targeted'
"She knew my brother was collecting money from the post office and deliberately targeted him to get cash."
She added, "She returned the next day though, and I think she got £180 from him.
"After that incident I had to move him out of his home and into alternative accommodation, because I thought she'd keep coming back for more money."
The sister said, "On Wednesday night she did come back and started knocking on his window. We'd left a light on to see whether she'd return and she called at his house again on Thursday morning.
"I want other people to be vigilant and look out for anyone suspicious because this could happen to others."
The sister reported the events to the police and said CCTV cameras show the blonde woman entering and leaving the flat, but is awaiting news on any progress with the case.
Tayside Police confirmed the incident was being investigated and that several lines of inquiry were ongoing.
A spokesman said, "We're investigating the incident and looking into the full circumstances surrounding the case.
"An allegation has been made that money has been taken from a property and we are looking into the case.
"We need to establish all circumstances before any further comment can be made."
