By Dave Lord

A TERRIFIED Perth care worker yesterday told a jury how a knife-wielding hoodie stole her handbag.

Leanor Blackhall described how the assault has left her too scared to go out alone.

Graeme Bell of Uist Place denies that on July 28 at the footpath leading from Colonsay Resource Centre to Argyll Road he assaulted Miss Blackhall, presenting a knife at her and robbing her of a handbag containing a purse, £13, a quantity of cosmetics and a mobile phone.

The 26-year-old has lodged a special defence of alibi, stating he was at home with his mother at the time of the offence.

Miss Blackhall, a part-time care worker with Perth and Kinross Council, said the attack had left her “shocked” and “more wary” when she is out and about.

She told the jury she had been drinking at a bar in the North Muirton area of Perth and had then gone to a friend’s house prior to the alleged incident.

“I was walking through the North Muirton estate at about 11.30pm,” she said.

“I was alone when I turned round and observed someone following me.

“I carried on walking and the man walked alongside me and then in front of me. He said ‘Give me your bag or I will stab you’.”

Miss Blackhall said she initially asked her assailant if he was joking.

“He then repeated the statement. I could see he had a knife in his hand... The blade appeared to be quite thin and long.

“I gave him the bag and then ran off. When I turned round again the man had gone.”

Miss Blackhall admitted her life had changed since the assault.

“It has made me a lot more wary of being out on my own.

“I have tried not to let it stop me from doing anything but I will no longer walk on my own the way I used to.”

North Muirton resident Joseph Edinboro told the court Bell had confessed to robbing Miss Blackhall during a visit shortly after the alleged attack.

“Graeme Bell phoned me at about 12.30am to see if I was in... and then came and chapped on my window. I opened the window and Graeme said he wanted in the house because the police were after him. He said he had robbed a lady with a knife.

“He said he had got some money and a phone. He offered to sell me the phone but I said no because I knew where it had come from.”

Mr Edinboro admitted he had not initially wanted to give evidence but eventually did so after imagining how his sister, auntie or mother would feel if they had been the victim.

Detective Constable Alan Wilkie told Perth Sheriff Court that Bell was detained after a hooded top was found dumped in a wheelie bin close to the accused’s North Muirton home.

The trial, which is being conducted before a jury of nine men and six women, is set to continue today.