A 21-YEAR-OLD Angus woman who assaulted and robbed a disabled woman in broad daylight in an Arbroath park, had sentence deferred until July 24 for reports at the town’s sheriff court yesterday when she appeared from custody and admitted the offence.

Andrea Wendy Airns, of Kirkbank, Auchmithie, admitted on April 12, in Victoria Park, she assaulted Mrs Carol Harkins to her injury by slapping her on the face and knocking her to the ground and—while acting with her boyfriend David Sinclair—robbed her of a pendant and chain, a quantity of medication and £10 in cash, and that she did so while on bail.

Depute Fiscal Hazel Anderson told Sheriff Norrie Stein that Mrs Harkins was 54 years old, was registered disabled and, amongst a number of ailments, was unsteady on her feet and had to use a three-wheeled trolley to allow her to get about. Observing that Airns’ boyfriend had already been jailed for 18 months for his part in the incident, Mrs Anderson said, “In the early afternoon of this day, Mrs Harkins was out for a walk with her 24-year-old daughter Ann, who is also her registered carer.

“Hanging from one of the handles of her walking aid was a handbag containing her medication, a £10 note and her pendant and chain, which was valued at £12.

“In an entirely unprovoked and unexpected attack, Sinclair barged between the two women and struck Mrs Harkins with enough force to knock her off her balance and let go of her walking aid.

“The contents of her handbag were scattered on the ground and Airns approached her and slapped her on the face, causing her to lose her balance completely and fall to the ground.

“Mrs Harkins lost consciousness for a very brief period and as she came to she saw both her assailants running off.

“Her daughter had seen Airns scooping up some of the items which had fallen from her mother’s handbag and also watched the pair as they made off.

“She gave chase but, out of concern for her mother’s welfare, she returned to her after a few seconds and called for the police and an ambulance.

“Mrs Harkins suffered a cut to her top lip, a loosened tooth and bruising to her body but did not require medical attention.

“Uniformed police officers were on the scene quickly and—accompanied by Mrs Harkins’ daughter—carried out a search of the immediate area.”

The court was told Airns and Sinclair were seen nearby and identified by Mrs Harkins’ daughter.

Airns was later picked out by Mrs Harkins at an identification parade.

Airns’ solicitor Billy Rennie reserved his plea in mitigation until his client’s appearance for sentence and, with no application for bail being made or her behalf, she was remanded in custody.